®] 


Univi  :>rnu 


^ 


LITTLE    PLAYS    FROM 
AMERICAN    HISTORY 

FOR  YOUNG   FOLKS 

BY 

ALICE  JOHNSTONE  WALKER 


NEW  YORK 


HENRY  HOLT  AND  COMPANY 


Copyright,   1914, 

BY 

HENRY  HOLT  AND  COMPANY 

Published  August,  19 14 

Amateurs  may  produce  the  plays  in  this  volume 
without  charge.  Professional  actors  should  apply  for 
acting  rights  to  the  author,  in  care  of  the  publishers. 


Printed,  March,  1937 


€  ■        <     ' 


■  .     '      .  «         *  * 


»  ••         4 

•     •  • 


PRINTED    IN    THE    U.    S     A.    BY 

THE    QUINN    a    BOOEN    COMPANY 

SAHWAY,     N.    J. 


Dedicated 

To  my  pupils  for  whom  these  little 

plays  were  written 


■ 


IN 

0> 


J 


CONTENTS 

PAOI 

I.    Hiding  the  Regicides     ....        i 

A  Play  in  Seven  Scenes.     Time  about 
1661. 

II.   Mrs.  Murray's  Dinner  Party     .       .       57 

A  School  Play  in  Three  Acts.     Time 
1776. 

III.   Four  Scenes  from  the  Time  of  Lin- 


coln 


1.  In  Boston.     1864 

2.  Lincoln  and  the  Little  Girl.    1850 

3.  At  the  White  House.     1863     . 

4.  On  a  Plantation.     1863    . 


121 
123 

131 
134 
145 


HIDING    THE    REGICIDES 

An  Historical  Play 

For  Children 

In  Seven  Scenes 


NOTE 

The  Regicides  were  the  judges  who  signed  the  death 
warrant  of  Charles  I  at  the  time  of  the  great  Revolu- 
tion in  England  in  1649.  During  the  Commonwealth 
period  they  were  safe,  as  the  Puritans  were  in  power, 
but  in  1660,  Charles  I's  son,  Charles  II,  was  called 
to  the  throne  and  he  refused  to  pardon  the  men  who 
had  condemned  his  father  to  death.  At  this  time  the 
Regicides,  Whalley  and  Goffe,  fled  to  New  England, 
hoping  for  the  protection  of  the  Puritans  there.  They 
lived  in  Cambridge,  Massachusetts  Colony,  and  New 
Haven  and  Milford  in  New  Haven  Colony,  and  their 
last  days  were  probably  spent  in  Mr.  Russell's  house  in 
Hadley,  Massachusetts. 

The  seven  scenes  in  this  play  take  place  in  New 
Haven  Colony  in  the  years  from  1661  to  1664.  Presi- 
dent Ezra  Stiles'  narrative  has  been  followed  in  all 
the  essential  parts.  Tradition  as  well  as  facts  have 
been  introduced,  but  it  has  not  always  been  possible  to 
preserve  the  historical  sequence. 

The  great  stones  of  glacial  origin  that  form  Judges' 
Cave  are  still  to  be  seen  on  West  Rock,  New  Haven. 
The  inscription,  "  Opposition  to  tyrants  is  obedience 
to  God,"  printed  in  rude  letters  on  one  of  the  rocks, 
is  probably  of  a  later  date  than  1664. 

3 


CHARACTERS 

Colonel  Whalley  |  the  Regicides.    Goffe  is  Whal- 
Colonel  Goffe         j      ley's      son  -  in  -  law ;      much 

younger. 
Governor  Leet,  of  New  Haven  Colony. 
John  Davenport,  the  New  Haven  Minister. 
Mr.  Gilbert,  a  New  Haven  Magistrate. 
Mr.  William  Jones,  neighbor  of  Davenport's. 

T^  I  King's  officers  searching  for  Regicides. 

Kellond  ) 

Will  Leet,  eight  years  old. 
ist  Neighbor. 
2nd  Neighbor. 
Quinnibog,  Indian  runner. 
Sperry's  Boy,  ten  or  eleven. 
Mistress  Allerton. 
Mistress  Davenport. 

Abigail  Pierson,  seventeen,  visiting  Mrs.  Davenport. 
Elizabeth  Allerton,  Mrs.  Allerton's  granddaugh- 
ter, seven  or  eight. 
Mercy  Leet,  seven  years  old. 


COSTUMES 

The  1660  costume  can  be  found  in  any  illustrated 
United  States  history.  Wide  collars  and  cuffs  and  a 
broad  sash  worn  over  a  little  boy's  coat  with  bloomers 
and  shoe  buckles  make  the  men's  costumes  easy  to 
arrange. 

The  women  should  have  little  caps  and  lace  collars 
and  cuffs:  skirts  full  and  waists  tight-fitting. 

The  King's  officers,  Kirk  and  Kellond,  can  be  more 
like  Cavaliers:  broad  hats;  sweeping  feathers;  swords. 

Puritan  hats  for  Whalley,  Davenport,  and  the 
neighbors  in  the  Guilford  scene  are  very  effective  and 
can  be  made  from  cardboard  and  blacked  over.  Daven- 
port and  Whalley  should  have  long  capes. 

The  children  should  be  dressed  like  their  elders:  the 
little  girls'  dresses  going  to  the  floor. 

Quinnibog  is  stained  brown  and  has  quills  in  his 
topknot. 


HIDING    THE    REGICIDES 

SCENE  I 

CHARACTERS 

Mistress  Allerton. 
Elizabeth,  her  granddaughter. 

At  the  house  of  Mistress  Allerton  in  New  Haven 
Colony.  A  Sunday  in  February,  1661.  Late  after- 
Moon.  Door  at  the  left  of  the  stage.  Window  at  the 
back  to  the  left.  In  the  right-hand  corner  the  "  Secret 
Cabinet  "  made  of  brown  paper  tacked  on  a  clothes- 
horse  or  screen.  One  division  of  the  clothes-horse  is 
arranged  to  open  like  a  door.  Dishes,  blue  plates, 
pewter  mugs,  etc.,  painted  or  drawn  with  colored  chalk 
on  paper  covering  screen,  to  make  it  look  like  dresser. 
A  table;  knitting-work;  high  stool;  armchair;  foot- 
stool. 

Curtain  rises  on  Mistress  Allerton  in  armchair, 
reading.  Elizabeth,  on  stool,  great  Bible  on  her 
knees,  lips  move  as  though  learning  by  heart. 

7 


8        LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Mistress  Allerton 

Elizabeth,  hast  thou  finished  committing  the  23d 
Psalm? 

Elizabeth 

Yes,  Grandmother.    It  is  not  as  long  as  the  103d. 

Mistress  Allerton 

And  what  was  the  text  of  good  Mr.  Davenport  this 
Lord's  day?  Thou  must  tell  thy  old  grandmother, 
since  she  cannot  now  walk  to  the  Meeting-House. 

Elizabeth 

It  was  in  Isaiah  xvi:  3,  4.  I  will  read  the  very 
words.  [Reads]  "  Make  thy  shadow  as  the  night  in 
the  midst  of  the  noonday;  hide  the  outcasts;  bewray 
not  him  that  wandereth.  Let  mine  outcasts  dwell  with 
thee,  Moab;  be  thou  a  covert  to  them  from  the  face 
of  the  spoiler."  Grandmother,  what  does  "bewray" 
mean? 

Mistress  Allerton 

[Holding  to  chair,  rises  to  her  feet,  staring  ahead.] 
"  Hide  the  outcasts !  Betray  not  him  that  wander- 
eth."    [In  a  startled  voice]  They  are  coming! 

Elizabeth 

Why,  Grandmother!  what  aileth  thee?  Who  are 
coming? 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  9 

Mistress  Allerton 

[Sits.]     Nothing,  child !     What  else  did  John  Dav- 
enport say? 

Elizabeth 

Why — why Oh    yes — that   the    Lord   would 

love  those  that  helped  the  oppressed  and  to  bewray 
not  him  that  wandereth.  What  is  to  bewray,  Grand- 
mother? 

Mistress  Allerton 

To   deliver  the   outcasts   to  men   who   would   slay 
them,  my  Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth 
[Gets  down  from  stool,  puts  Bible  on  table,  goes  to 
stand  on  Mistress  Allerton's  left.]     Mr.  Jones  did 
weep  when  Mr.  Davenport  was  preaching. 

Mistress  Allerton 
Aye,  poor  man !  well  he  may  weep.     It  is  not  three 
weeks  since  he  learned  that  his  father  was  betrayed  to 
the  new  King  and  cruelly  killed. 

Elizabeth 
What  had  he  done? 

Mistress  Allerton 

He  was  one  of  the  judges  who  condemned  to  death 
that  man  of  blood,  Charles  I ;  many  of  those  righteous 


io      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

men  have  been  pursued  and  slain — but  not  all, — not 
all! 

Elizabeth 

And  are  some  judges  still  hiding  from  the  new 
King? 

Mistress  Allerton 
Yes,  some  they  say  are  in  Switzerland. 

Elizabeth 

They  might  come  to  New  England — to  New 
Haven !    Should  we  have  to  hide  them  ? 

Mistress  Allerton 

Yes,  my  Elizabeth,  and  betray  them  not.  [Rises, 
walks  to  dresser.]  Elizabeth,  seest  thou  that  dresser? 
Look,  it  opens  thus.  [Opens  division  of  dresser.]  If 
any  wanderer  shouldst  come,  thou  wouldst  know  where 
to  hide  him! 

Elizabeth 

Oh,  Grandmother!  what  a  black  little  room!  Does 
it  go  far?    I  never  knew  it  was  there. 

Mistress  Allerton 

This  is  a  secret,  child!  Canst  keep  a  secret?  Aye, 
I  know  well  thou  canst.    Tell  no  one!    Tell  no  one! 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  n 

Elizabeth 

[Dancing  around.]  No  one!  No  one!  Grand- 
mother!   A  secret!    A  secret! 

[Clock  strikes  six. 

Mistress  Allerton 
Fetch  me  my  knitting,  child ;  the  Sabbath  is  over. 

Elizabeth 

[Fetches  knitting,  leans  on  back  of  Mistress  Al- 
lerton's  chair.]  And  wilt  thou  sing  with  me  now 
the  song  thy  mother  taught  thee  in  Old  England? 


Mistress  Allerton  and  Elizabeth 
[Sing] 

"  How  I  love  to  see  thee,  golden  evening  sun, 
How  I  love  to  see  thee  when  the  day  is  done. 
Sweetly  thou  recallest  childhood's  joyous  days— 
etc. 


THE  SETTING  SUN 


Andante. 


t=t 


:g: 


«-r-# 


#-* 


1 


1.  How  Hove  to    seo  thee,  Gold-en  evening     sun! 

2.  Sweetly  thou  re  -  call- est,  Childhood's  joyous  days; 

3.  When  in  tranquil  glo-ry,  Thou  didst  sink  to    rest, 


-»-«- 


aczip: 


E 


t— Li — t- 


i 


12      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 


5^1^ 


-N<- 


5£SLJ=* 


1 — U- 


^H 


3=5 


How    I  love  to    see  thee, When  the  day  is    done. 
Hours  when  I    so    fond-  lyWatch'd  thy  evening  blaze. 
Then  what  heav'nly  rapt  -  ture  Fill'd  my  burning  breast. 


m\' 


=* 


TT- * 


■&- 


-*-" 


:t*t 


azp: 


q=s 


\ 


CURTAIN 


SCENE    II 
CHARACTERS 

Mr.  John  Davenport.  Mistress  Davenport. 

Mr.  Gilbert,  Magistrate.        Abigail  Pierson. 
Mr.  William  Jones.  Colonel  Whalley. 

Colonel  Goffe. 

John  Davenport's  house,  New  Haven  Colony, 
March  7,  1661.  Night.  Door  as  in  Scene  I.  Win- 
doiv  at  back  of  stage;  chairs  and  table  center  stage; 
lighted  candles;  dishes,  tankards,  etc.,  at  right  side. 
Furniture,  old-fashioned. 

Curtain  rises  on  Davenport  standing  behind  table 
reading  letter:  Gilbert  right  and  Jones  left,  lis- 
tening. 

Davenport 

[Reads.]  "  As  the  names  of  Whalley  and  Goffe 
are  omitted  from  the  list  of  pardoned  rebels,  the 
Magistrates  of  Massachusetts  Colony  were  afraid  to 
harbor  them  longer.  The  enemies  of  the  Colony  have 
been  exciting  suspicions  of  her  loyalty.  While  Gov- 
ernor Endicott  and  the  Assistants  were  still  debating 
whether  to  arrest  them,  the  Colonels  left  Boston  the 

13 


H      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

26th  of  February,  presumably  on  their  way  to  Spring- 
field and  thence  to  Hartford  and  New  Haven." 
[Speaks]  So  reads  the  letter  lately  received  from  one 
of  our  brethren  in  Boston. 


Gilbert 

And  their  way  will  lead  them  soon  to  New  Haven. 
They  are  not  unknown  to  thee,  Will  Jones? 

Jones 

They  were  dear  friends  of  my  father's;  would  I 
could  spare  them  his  fate! 

Davenport 

[Lays  hand  on  Jones'  shoulder.]  Never  fear!  If 
they  come  here,  they  will  find  friends  and  safety. 
There  are  no  traitors  in  New  Haven  Colony.  We 
fled  before  the  tyrant:  they  stayed  and  defied  him — 
and  should  we  not  protect  them  with  our  lives  if 
need  be? 

Gilbert 

[Rises.]  With  our  lives,  yes,  but  dare  we  put  the 
Colony  in  danger?  This  brave  little  settlement;  dear 
to  us  now  as  no  other  spot  under  heaven.  Dare  we 
defy  the  King  openly?  Darest  thou  defy  him,  John 
Davenport? 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  x5 

Davenport 

Who  is  defying  the  King?  No  Hue  and  Cry  from 
England  makes  it  our  duty  to  arrest  them. 

Gilbert 
Yes,  but  the  Massachusetts  Magistrates  expect 
every  day  a  Royal  Order  to  arrest  the  fugitives,  and 
they  dare  not  shelter  them  longer.  And  Massachu- 
setts has  a  Charter  and  is  older  and  richer  and  more 
powerful  than  little  New  Haven. 

Jones 

Is  not  our  very  obscurity  our  safety?  We  have 
no  bitter  jealous  enemies  in  our  midst  like  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Davenport 

Well  spoken,  Will!  and  we  will  save  the  Colonels 
and  harm  our  beloved  New  Haven  not  a  whit.  Let 
the  King  search!     Can  we  not  hide? 

[Enter  Mistress  Davenport  and  Abi- 
gail PlERSON. 

Mistress  Davenport 
[Much   excited.']      Husband,   list!     Two  strangers 
be  at   the  door   asking  for  thee;   they  will  not   give 
their  names  and  they  will  not  enter. 

[Davenport  looks  around  at  Gilbert 
and  Jones  and  goes  out  in  silence. 
All  listen.    Re-enter  Davenport. 


1 6      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Davenport 

Mistress  Davenport,  Abigail,  here  are  the  Colonels 
Whalley  and  Goffe. 

[Enter  Whalley  and  Goffe. 

All 

Welcome,  sirs. 

[Gather  round — bow. 

Jones 

[Takes  the  Colonels'  hands.]     My  dear  father's 
friends.    Welcome !     Welcome ! 

Davenport 
Mr.  Gilbert  is  our  Magistrate. 

Mistress  Davenport 
Pray  be  seated,  gentlemen. 

Gilbert 

Thou   didst   not   tarry  long   in   Hartford,    Colonel 
Whalley. 

[Shakes  hands  with  Whalley  and  Goffe. 

Whalley 

We  were  three  or  four  days  with  Governor  Win- 
throp. 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  17 

GOFFE 

And  with  your  Governor  Leet  yestere'en.  We  tar- 
ried until  nightfall  before  approaching  your  settle- 
ment. What  noble  mountains  rise  to  the  east  and 
west  of  your  Plantation ! 

Davenport 

Yes,  we  call  them  the  East  and  West  Mountains. 
We  love  them  well.  Boston  has  not  the  like,  nor 
Hartford  neither. 

Gilbert 

If  the  King  should  send  a  Hue  and  Cry  for  you 
through  the  Provinces,  you  might  find  a  sure  shelter 
on  one  of  those  lofty  rocks. 

Jones 

[Hotly.]  Nay,  my  father's  friends  and  mine 
should  find  security  always  in  my  house  under  the 
roof  built  by  Theophilus  Eaton,  my  dear  wife's 
father. 

Gilbert 

[Rising.']  But  if  as  Magistrate  I  should  be 
compelled  to  command  a  search  of  all  houses — 
then 


i8      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

GOFFE 

[Rising.]  Understand,  my  friends,  that  my  father 
and  I  stand  ready  to  give  ourselves  up  at  any  time  to 
the  Magistrates.  We  would  not  endanger  the  Colony, 
for  the  sake  of  our  poor  lives. 

Whalley 

We  would  not  have  you  risk  the  well-being  of  your 
settlement  for  outcasts  whose  days  at  best  are  few  and 
evil. 

Davenport 

We  thank  you  for  these  words,  we  will  remember 
them;  they  but  make  us  more  determined  to  save  such 
brave  men. 

Jones  and  Gilbert 
That  they  do ! 

Davenport 

And  as  for  searchers — I  fear  them  not.  My  Lord 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury  sought  for  one  John  Dav- 
enport, but  he  found  him  not.  Let  us  do  our  duty 
and  God  will  provide  for  our  safety. 

Gilbert 

Yea,  "  hide  the  outcasts ;  bewray  not  him  that  wan- 
dereth!" 

Mistress  Davenport 

And  now  I  pray  thee,  John,  suffer  the  Colonels  to 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  19 

partake  of  a  little  refreshment;  they  must  needs  be 

faint. 

[Colonels  Whalley  and  Goffe  sit 
down  at  table.  Mistress  Daven- 
port and  Abigail  begin  to  bring 
dishes,  glasses,  etc.  Davenport  and 
Jones  take  their  hats,  etc. 


curtain 


SCENE  117 
CHARACTERS 

Governor  Leet. 
Will  Leet. 
Mercy  Leet. 

I  King's  Officers. 
Kellond  J 

ist  Neighbor. 

2nd  Neighbor. 

Quinnibog,  Indian  Runner. 

Governor  Leet's  house,  Guilford,  Saturday,  May 
1 1,  1661.  Door  and  ivindow  as  before;  zvindow  open; 
table;  chairs;  high  stool;  books;  papers;  ink  and  quill 
pen  on  table. 

Curtain  rises.  Mercy  Leet  discovered  seated  on 
high  stool  knitting  long  stocking  and  weeping,  wipes 
eyes  with  stocking.     Will's  head  appears  in  window. 

Will 

Mercy,  what  art  doing?  Leave  thy  knitting  and 
come   to  the  woods  and   pull   May-flowers  with  me. 

20 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  21 

[Climbs  in  window,  sits  on  sill,  feet  inside.]     I  know 
where  they  grow  by  handfuls. 

Mercy 
[Bends  over  her  work,  but  does  not  answer.] 

Will 

[Laughing.]  Oh!  naughty  girl!  must  sit  on  the 
stool  and  knit!  Oh!  Oh!  I  know  why.  Thou  didst 
laugh  at  prayers  when  the  tabby  cat  jumped  in  the 
window ! 

Mercy 

It  is  not  often  I  have  a  chance  to  sit  here,  Master 
Will!  It  is  thy  favorite  seat!  Why  wast  thou  here 
all  yesterday  forenoon? 

Will 

[Gets  down  from  window.]  I  was  trying  to  mend 
father's  pens  for  him.    He  was  not  pleased. 

[Takes  quill  pen  from  table. 

Mercy 
Have  a  care!  thou  wilt  drop  it! 

Kirk 

[Outside  window.]  Is  the  Deputy  Governor  Leet 
within  ?     We  would  speak  with  him  at  once. 


22      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Will 

[Drops   pen,   runs   to   window.]      Two   strangers! 
they  would  see  father. 

[Enter  Leet,  ist  and  2ND  Neighbor; 
Kirk  and  Kellond,  the  King's  Of- 
ficers. 

Kellond 
Our  business  is  important  and  urgent. 

Leet 
I  pray  you  be  seated,  sirs. 

Kirk 

These  letters  will  explain  all. 

[Hands  papers  to  Leet,  who  takes  out 
glasses,  wipes  them,  begins  to  read 
out  loud. 

Leet 

"  To  our  trusty  and  well-beloved,  the  present  Gov- 
ernor or  other  Magistrate  or  Magistrates  of  our 
Plantation  of  New  England."  [Speaks"]  This  is  not 
written  to  me!  I  am  the  Governor  of  New  Haven 
Plantation,  not  of  New  England. 

Kirk 
It  is  for  thee.    I  pray  thee  read  further. 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  23 

Kellond 

And  would  his  Honor  please  not  read  so  loud. 

[ist  and  2ND  Neighbor  take  books,  pre- 
tend not  to  listen. 

Leet 

[Bows  and  reads  lower  but  distinctly.  KlRK  and 
Kellond  fidget  and  look  to  see  whether  the  others  are 
listening.]  "Charles  Rex:  Trusty  and  well-beloved, 
we  greet  you  well.  We  being  given  to  understand 
that  Colonell  Whalley  and  Colonell  Goffe,  who  stand 
here  convicted  for  the  execrable  murther  of  our  Royal 
Father  of  glorious  memory,  are  lately  arrived  in  New 
England,  where  they  hope  to  shroud  themselves  se- 
curely from  our  laws;  and  we  do  expressly  require 
and  command  you  forthwith,  to  cause  both  the  said 
persons  to  be  apprehended 

Kellond 

[Interrupting.]  It  is  convenient  to  be  more  private 
in  such  concernments  as  this  is!  Will  his  Honor 
please  retire  with  us  to  another  room? 

Leet 

Ah, — as  you  wish. 

[Exeunt  Kirk,  Kellond,  and  Leet,  who 
looks  back  over  his  shoulder. 


24      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

1ST    NEIGHBOR 

[Throwing  down  book  he  has  been  reading.]  Will, 
hasten  and  fetch  hither  Quinnibog,  the  Indian  runner. 
Here  hasten.  Nay,  by  the  window.  Bring  him  to 
this  window. 

[Puts   Will   hurriedly   out  of  window, 
goes  to  table  and  writes. 

2ND    NEIGHBOR 

[Rises  and  looks  over  his  shoulder — reads.~\ 
"  King's  Officers  from  Boston  seeking  the  Colonels 
have  arrived  this  day,  Saturday,  at  Guilford." 

Will 
Here  is  Quin. 

[His  head  appears  and  he  climbs  in.     The 

neighbors  help  him  down. 
[Quinnibog's   head   appears   over  win- 
dow-sill. 

1ST  neighbor 

[Folding  paper.]  To  Chief  Davenport  at  New 
Haven. 

[Holds  up  paper;  gives  it  to  Quinnibog. 

2ND   NEIGHBOR 

Between  the  Red  Mountains. 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  25 

1ST   NEIGHBOR 

Let  not  the  wind  catch  thee ! 

2ND    NEIGHBOR 

[Holds  up  knife.]  This  shall  be  thine  if  thou  goest 
swiftly  and  secretly. 

Quinnibog 

[Raises  right  arm  in  air,  speaks  with  great  dignity 
and  slowly;  impassive  face.]  Quosaquash,  sawsounck 
Totoket,  mishe  nahma,  Mishe  mokwa  mudjekeewis 
Quinnipiack! 

[Disappears. 

2ND   NEIGHBOR 

What  did  he  say? 

Will 

That  he  will  run  as  swiftly  as  the  shadow  of  a 
cloud  passes  between  Totoket  and  Quinnipiack. 

Mercy 

Oh  no!  he  cannot  do  that!  I  cannot  run  as  fast 
as  that! 

1ST   NEIGHBOR 

[Looking  at  Mercy.]  Oh!  the  little  maid!  Will 
she  tell  ? 

[Takes  up  book  and  sits  as  before. 


26      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

2ND   NEIGHBOR 

Nay,  nor  Master  Will  neither. 

[All  are  as  before.     Enter  Leet,  KlRK, 
and  Kellond. 

Kirk 

[To  Leet.]  And  thou  wilt  see  that  we  have  fresh 
horses  at  once  and  the  necessary  papers  for  our  urgent 
business. 

Kellond 

Yes,  Sir,  at  once.    The  papers  at  once! 

Leet 

The  horses  surely  you  shall  have,  but  the  papers 
are  a  weightier  matter.  I  must  have  time  for  con- 
sideration. 

Kirk 

But  we  cannot  wait.    This  is  the  King's  business. 

Leet 

[Slowly.]  When  the  horses  are  ready  return  hither 
and  I  will  give  you  my  decision.  In  every  way  I 
would  expedite  and  advance  his  Majesty's  service. 

Kirk 

Thanks  to  your  Worship. 

[Bows,  goes  out. 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  27 

Kellond 

Your  Honor. 

[Bows,  goes  out. 

Leet 

[Goes  to  table,  looks  at  quill  all  ink,  puts  it  doivn.~\ 
Mercy,  child,  thou  hast  been  on  the  penance  stool  long 
enough. 

[Takes  her  and  stands  her  on  stool. 

Mercy 

I  thank  thee,  Father.  I  have  been  a  good  girl.  I 
did  not  tell  the  King's  Officers  that  Will  had  fetched 
Quinnibog  and  sent  him  to  New  Haven  to  Mr.  Dav- 
enport. 

CURTAIN 


SCENE  IV 

CHARACTERS 

Governor  Leet. 
Will  Leet. 
Mercy  Leet. 

„  I  King's  Officers. 

Kellond  j 

Governor  Leet's  house,  Guilford,  May  n,  1661. 
Late  afternoon.     Same  as  Scene  III. 

Curtain  rises  on  Governor  Leet  seated.  Kirk  and 
Kellond  seated  on  either  side,  talking  angrily. 

Kirk 

We  will  not  be  delayed  longer.  We  are  assured  by 
the  people  at  the  Inn,  who  seem  better  informed  than 
his  Honor,  the  Governor,  that  Davenport  and  Jones 
are  sheltering  the  Regicides. 

Kellond 

That  the  Colonels  have  been  seen  on  the  street  out- 
side their  houses  and  that  Mr.  Davenport  but  lately 
laid  in  a  store  of  ten  pounds  of  fresh  meat  at  once. 

28 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  29 

Kirk 

Also  men  say  openly  that  it  is  not  possible  that  the 
Governor  should  be  ignorant  of  the  whereabout  of  the 
Colonels. 


Leet 


[Mildly.]     I  repeat- 


[Leet    is    very    deliberate    through    this 
scene,  as  he  is  trying  to  make  time. 

Kellond 

[Sarcastically,  interrupting.]  And  that  also,  of 
course,  entirely  unbeknownst  to  the  Governor,  an  In- 
dian runner  has  disappeared  from  the  town,  since  our 
arrival. 

Leet 

[Slowly,  politely.]  You  gentlemen,  I  see,  have  been 
listening  to  the  village  idlers,  who  have  always  plenty 
of  tales  for  eager  ears.  I  can  but  repeat  that  it  is  nine 
weeks  since  I  saw  those  you  seek,  and  I  do  not  know 
where  they  are.  I  also  repeat  that  as  a  faithful  servant 
of  his  Majesty  I  am  willing  to  help  you  in  every  way 
in  my  power. 

Kirk 

[Roughly.]  Then  give  us  horses;  promised  us  these 
two  hours — search  warrants  and  military  aid  to  appre- 
hend these  malignants. 


3o      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Leet 

[Slowly.]  Horses  you  shall  have,  sirs,  I  but  sent 
to  my  highland  meadow  to  procure  you  my  swiftest 
nags.    They  should  be  here  now. 

Kellond 
[Threateningly.]     And  warrants  and  soldiers,  too! 

Leet 

[Politely.]  I  fear  I  have  no  authority  to  furnish 
search  warrants. 

Kirk 

[Rising.]  No  authority!  Why,  here  is  his  Maj- 
esty's proclamation. 

[Shows  it  to  Leet. 

Leet 

[Takes  letter •,  slowly  puts  on  specs,  takes  them  off, 
ivipes  them,  puts  on  again,  reads  paper.]  Um!  Ah! 
but  this  is  not  addressed  to  me,  but  to  the  present 
Governor  or  other  Magistrates  of  our  Plantation  of 
New  England.  There  is  no  New  England  Plantation. 
How  can  I  assume  rights  to  which  I  am  not  entitled? 

Kellond 

[Rising.]  This  is  an  idle  quibble.  His  Majesty's 
command  is  to  catch  those  rascals.    This  is  New  Eng- 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  31 

land.     Thou  art  a  Magistrate.     Give  us  a  warrant 
or  disobey  the  King! 


Leet 

[Rises,  says  solemnly.]  This  is  New  Haven  Colony, 
not  New  England.  I  am  but  the  Deputy  Governor 
and  cannot  overstep  my  powers.  I  obey  the  King  by 
obeying  the  King's  law. 

Kirk 

[Sneeringly.]  Thou  hast  much  talk  of  obedience 
but  little  action. —  [Pounds  on  table]  What  wilt  thou 
do? 

Leet 

[Mildly.]  Mr.  Gilbert  is  one  of  the  New  Haven 
Magistrates,  too;  I  will  give  thee  a  letter  to  him,  say- 
ing that  I  urge  every  compliance  possible  with  the 
demands  of  his  Majesty. 

Kirk 

[Mollified.]     That  will  please  us  well,  sir. 

[Sits, 

Kellond 

Very  well. 

[Sits. 


32       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Leet 

[Slowly  goes  to  table,  looks  for  paper.]     Nay,  not 
this.     [Rises,  goes  to  door,  calls.]     Mercy,  Mercy! 

[Enter  Mercy. 

Leet 

Mercy,  run  and  ask  thy  mother  for  another  sheet 
like  this. 

[Exit  Mercy. 

Kellond 
[At  window.]     Are  those  the  horses,  your  Honor? 

Leet 

They  are  indeed. 

[Looks  out  of  window. 

Kellond 

Since  the  horses  are  at  hand  we  wait  oi.ly  the  letter. 

[Enter  Mercy  with  paper. 

Leet 

[Searches  on  table,  in  room,  goes  to  window,  calls.] 
Will,  hast  thou  meddled  with  thy  father's  quills? 


Will 
[From  outside.]     Nay,  Father,  I  did  but- 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  33 

Leet 
[Sternly.]     Answer  me  not,  fetch  them  at  once. 

Kirk 
But  lo!  here  is  a  quill! 

Leet 

I  cannot  use  it. 

[Enter  Will. 
Leet 
Thou  keepest  thy  father  waiting!    Where  hast  thou 
put  the  quills,  meddler! 

Will 
Nay,  Father,  I  touched  them  not,  thou  thyself  didst 
put  them  in  the  drawer. 

[Opens  drawer  full  of  quills. 

Leet 

[In  surprise.]     Ah!  to  be  sure. 

[Begins  trying  one  after  another. 

Kellond 
[To  Kirk.]     This  is  but  slow  haste. 

Leet 
[Cheerfully.]      Haste    makes    waste.      Now   I    can 
begin.     My  spectacles.    Where  are  my  spectacles? 

[Begins  search. 


34        LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Kirk 

[To  Kellond,  aside.']    This  is  too  much! 

[They  begin  to  search,  Mercy  and  Will 
also. 

Leet 

[His  spectacles  are  pushed  back  on  his  forehead.] 
Mercy,  run  and  ask  thy  mother  if  she  hath  seen  my 
spectacles.  [Mercy  goes  out.]  Perchance  they  are 
shut  up  in  some  book. 

[All  look  in  books. 

Mercy 

[Enters.]     No,  Father,  they [begins  to  laugh]. 

Why,  there  they  are  on  thy  forehead,  Father. 

Leet 

Of  a  surety!  [Sits  down,  dips  pen  in  ink;  when 
clock  strikes  six.  Leet  lays  down  pen  and  rises.] 
Good  sirs,  it  is  six  of  the  clock  and  this  letter  cannot 
be  finished  until  Monday. 

Kirk 

[Springing  up.]  But  we  will  not  wait  until  Mon- 
day.   What  means  this  foolery! 

Leet 
[Gravely.]     It  is  now  the  Sabbath.    We  can  engage 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  3s 

in  no  worldly  pursuits.     No  man  travels  within  this 
Colony  on  the  Sabbath! 


Kirk 
They  will  escape  us.     Thou  knowest  it  well! 

Kellond 

[Furiously.]  A  plague  upon  all  Puritan  notions, — 
twenty- four  hours'  delay!     Good  lack! 

Leet 

Nay,  nay,  good  sirs,  softly!  softly!  on  Monday  I 
will  myself  accompany  you  to  New  Haven,  and  aid 
you  in  your  errand. 

Kirk 

Your  Worship's  aid  is  indeed   indispensable.     We 

must  needs  submit,  but  the  King  shall  know  how  the 

Governor  of  New  Haven  obeys  his  Majesty's  orders. 

[Exeunt  Kirk  and  Kellond,  angrily. 


CURTAIN 


SCENE  V 

CHARACTERS 

John  Davenport.  Colonel  Whalley. 

Mistress  Davenport.  Colonel  Goffe. 

Abigail  Pierson. 

Monday  night,  May  13,  1 66 1,  at  John  Daven- 
port's.    Stage  same  as  Scene  II.    Stage  dark. 

Curtain  rises  on  Abigail  on  stage  with  lighted 
candle,  listening. 

[Enter  Mistress  Davenport  with  candle  lighted.} 

Mistress  Davenport 
[Whispers.]     Didst  thou  hear  a  rap,  sweetheart? 

Abigail 

[Whispers.]  Nay,  but  I  thought  I  heard  a  branch 
snap  suddenly. 

[Listens. 
Mistress  Davenport 

They  may  return  any  time,  but  we  dare  not  shelter 
them  to-night;  a  search  of  this  house  may  be  ordered. 

36 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  37 

Abigail 

They  were  last  seen  on  Neck  Lane  by  the  Marshal 
who  sought  to  arrest  them.  But  they  beat  him  off. 
Dost  thou  think,  Mistress  Davenport,  the  town  mar- 
shal tried  very  hard  to  capture  them  ? 

Mistress  Davenport 

Hush,  my  dear,  of  course  he  did,  and  when  he 
returned  with  more  men  the  Colonels  were  not  to  be 
seen. 

Abigail 

No;  and  how  angry  the  King's  Officers  were  that 
the  Colonels  were  so  near  and  yet  not  apprehended. 

Mistress  Davenport 

[Listens.]     Didst  thou  not  hear  that? 

[Both  listen.  Mistress  Davenport, 
with  finger  at  lip,  tiptoes  out.  Abigail 
still  listens.  Low  knock  is  heard  at 
window.  Abigail  puts  out  light  and 
goes  to  window.  Another  knock.  She 
opens  window.  Whalley  is  helped 
in;  Goffe  follows  in  silence,  and 
Abigail  quickly  shuts  window,  draws 
curtain. 

[Enter  Mistress  Davenport  with 
lighted  candle. 


38       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Mistress  Davenport 

The  Lord  be  praised  that  thou  art  still  safe  after 
this  dreadful  day!  Abigail,  hast  thou  refreshments  at 
hand? 

[Abigail  sets  forth  refreshments.     Goffe 
and  Whalley  sit  down  at  table,  eat. 

Whalley 

We  were  indeed  beset,  behind  and  before,  but  the 
Lord  once  more  delivered  us. 

[Enter  Davenport. 

Davenport 

[Takes  hands  of  Judges.]  My  heart  is  glad  within 
me.  But  tell  how  you  escaped  the  town  marshal  and 
why  the  King's  Officers  did  not  meet  you?  You  were 
both  on  the  same  road. 

Goffe 

The  good  marshal  was  soon  discouraged;  it  was  no- 
desperate  fight. 

[Laughs. 

Whalley 
Our  staves  were  stout. 

Abigail 

There,  I  knew  good  Marshal  Kimberly  woulif 
never 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  39 

Davenport 

[Smiling.]  Nay  now,  my  dear!  such  talk  will  never 
do.  But  Kirk  and  Kellond,  the  King's  Officers,  were 
perilously  near  thee;  they  must  have  been  almost  in 
sight ! 

Goffe 

[Stands.]  That  was  indeed  a  close  rub.  As  we 
were  about  to  cross  Neck  Bridge  we  heard  galloping 
hoofs  on  the  East  Road.  There  was  no  shelter,  no 
tree,  no  escape  visible;  the  rapidity  of  the  gallop  made 
us  sure  the  riders  were  our  pursuers. 

Whalley 

[Stands.]  Suddenly  we  bethought  us  of  the  possible 
shelter  of  the  bridge  itself,  and  scrambling  down  the 
steep  bank  we  waded  under  the  bridge  until  the  water 
was  up  to  our  armpits 

Mistress  Davenport 

Oh,  good  lack! 

Goffe 

And  hardly  were  we  in  our  cold  retreat  before  the 
King's  Officers  rode  by  at  a  furious  pace,  rattling  the 
boards  over  our  heads  and  scattering  dust  upon  us! 

Whalley 
[Sits.]     I  pray  we  never  be  any  nearer  to  them! 


40       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Mistress  Davenport 
And  you  have  both  been  wet  to  the  bone  all  day! 

Goffe 

[Sits.]  No,  sweet  Mistress  Davenport,  the  sun 
soon  dried  us.     But  how  fared  the  day  here? 

Davenport 

The  day  has  been  an  anxious  one.  Kirk  and  Kellond 
suspect  us  and  they  are  pressing  the  Magistrates  for 
a  search  warrant.  The  Magistrates  from  Branford 
and  Milford  are  here  and  they  are  still  consulting. 

Mistress  Davenport 

They  may  yield  and  give  the  Commissioners  search 
warrants  this  very  evening. 

Davenport 

Leet  and  Gilbert  hold  that  as  there  is  no  Governor 
of  New  England,  they  dare  not  obey  the  proclamation. 
The  Officers  speak  most  insolently  to  the  Magistrates 
and  accuse  them  openly  of  knowing  where  you  are. 

Mistress  Davenport 

We  fear  that  Kirk  and  Kellond  will  demand  per- 
mission of  us  to  search  this  house. 


HIDLNG  THE  REGICIDES  41 

Davenport 

This  I  am  willing  to  grant  them — providing  out 
friends  are  no  longer  here.  Abigail,  therefore,  will 
escort  you  to  the  house  of  Mistress  Allerton. 

Abigail 

And  to-morrow  night  Will  Jones  will  take  you  to 
a  retreat  where  no  King's  Officer  can  find  you. 

Whalley 

Ah,  good  Mr.  Davenport,  there  is  grave  danger  in 
all  this  for  thee,  I  fear. 

Davenport 

Nay,  nay,  Colonel  Whalley,  say  not  so.  Abigail, 
thy  hood,  child,  [Mistress  Davenport  ties  on  Abi- 
gail's cape  and  hood]  and  go  by  the  way  of  the 
orchards. 

[Opens  window,  helps  Abigail  out  of 
window;  Goffe  also.  Wh  ALLEY 
gets  out. 

Whalley 

[Looking  backward.]  The  Lord  bless  thee,  John 
Davenport!  [Disappears. 

[Davenport  shuts  window  softly. 


CURTAIN 


SCENE  VI 

CHARACTERS 

Mistress  Allerton. 

I  King's  Officers. 
Kellond  j 

Elizabeth  Allerton. 

Colonel  Whalley. 

Colonel  Goffe. 

Mistress  Allerton's  house,  New  Haven  Colony, 
Tuesday  morning,  May  14,  1661.  Same  as  Scene  I, 
table  being  set  for  breakfast,  plates,  dishes,  etc.,  on  side 
table.     Vase  of  flowers  on  side  table. 

Curtain  rises  on  Mistress  Allerton  and  Eliza- 
beth. 

Mistress  Allerton 

[A  pail  in  each  hand.]  Here,  Elizabeth,  be  spry 
now.  Run  swiftly  to  Goody  Brown's  and  ask  her  for 
two  pails  of  milk  this  morning. 

[Gives  two  pails. 

Elizabeth 

[Surprised.]    Two  pails  of  milk? 

42 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  43 

Mistress  Allerton 

Aye,  mayhap  we  have  visitors  to-day.  Run  along, 
child ! 

[Exit  Elizabeth. 

Mistress  Allerton 

[Looking  after  her.~\  Would  I  had  not  said  that! 
Goody  Brown  will  surely  be  curious.  [Prepares  table- 
cloth, plates,  etc.,  goes  to  Cabinet,  taps  and  then  opens 
it.]  Colonel  Goffe,  thou  mayest  safely  venture  out 
now.  There  is  no  soul  abroad  and  little  Elizabeth 
hath  gone  to  the  neighbors  for  fresh  milk. 

[Enter     Goffe     and    Whalley    from 
Cabinet. 

Goffe 
Good  morrow,  Mistress  Allerton! 

Whalley 
Good  morrow!    Good  morrow! 

Mistress  Allerton 

Good  morrow,  sirs,  pray  be  seated.  Here  are  some 
of  our  sweet  New  England  posies. 

Whalley 

This  New  England  is  a  fair  land,  rich  in  bountiful 
fields,  sweet  flowers,  and  true  hearts. 

[Bows  to  Mistress  Allerton  and  sits. 
[Goffe  and  Mistress  Allerton  sit. 


44        LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Mistress  Allerton 
There  are  no  traitors  here,  indeed.    These  rude  fel- 
lows, Kirk  and  Kellond,  come  from  old  England. 

[Enter    Elizabeth,    astonished    to    see 
Colonels. 

Elizabeth 
Oh!  Grandmother!  and  I  told  Goody  Brown  that 
we  had  no  visitors,  but  that  thou  saidest  they  might 
come ;  and  here  are  the  Colonels. 

[Goes  up  to  Judges  and  courtesies. 

Mistress  Allerton 
[Anxiously.]     Was  there  any  one  with  thee  wThen 
thou  spakest  with  Goody? 

Elizabeth 

One  of  the  strangers  from  Boston  was  there  and 
he  questioned  me  shrewdly. 

Goffe 
And  what  didst  thou  say,  little  maid? 

Elizabeth 
I  said  nay,  we  had  no  visitors. 

Mistress  Allerton 
And  then? 

[Whalley  and  Goffe  rise  and  listen 
anxiously. 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  45 

Elizabeth 

He  said  he  did  not  believe  me  and  he  shook  me 
[begins  to  cry]  and  then  he  ran  towards  the  tavern. 

[The  others  look  at  each   other  in   con- 
sternation. 

Whalley 
Shall  we  enter  the  dark  room  again? 

Mistress  Allerton 
Let  me  think. 

Goffe 

They  will  come  and  search  and  perhaps  find  us  now 
that  they  suspect  this  house. 

Mistress  Allerton 

There  is  another  way.    Come  quickly  with  me  along 
Neck  Lane.     Hasten! 

Whalley 
[Going  out.]    But  what  wilt  thou  say? 

Mistress  Allerton 

I  shall  know  what  to  say,  only  hasten! 

[Whispers    to    Goffe,    who    nods    and 
smiles. 

[All  go  out  but  Elizabeth. 
[Re-enter  Mistress  Allerton. 


46       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Elizabeth 

[Weeping.]  Oh,  Grandmother!  did  I  bewray  the 
Colonels? 

Mistress  Allerton 

Nay,  child,  nay.  Look  quick!  dost  see  the  Colonels, 
sweetheart  ? 

Elizabeth 
[Looking  out  of  window.]    Yea,  on  Neck  Lane. 

Mistress  Allerton 

[Impressively.]  If  thou  wouldst  not  bewray  them, 
shut  thy  eyes  and  stop  thy  ears  until  I  tell  thee  to  open 
them. 

Elizabeth 

[Sits  on  high  stool,  right  front,  puts  hands  over  ears, 
shuts  eyes,  begins  to  sing.] 

"  How  I  love  to  see  thee,  golden  evening  sun, 
How  I  love  to  see,  etc." 

Mistress  Allerton 

[Goes  out  and  re-enters  with  Judges  and  softly 
shuts  them  again  in  Cabinet.  Goes  and  takes  doxun 
Elizabeth's  hands.]  Open  thy  eyes,  child,  and  re- 
member where  thou  last  did  see  the  Colonels. 

[Loud  knocks  and  enter  at  once  KlRK 
and  Kellond. 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  47 

Kirk 

Where  are  the  malignants,  Mistress?  I  have  good 
reason  to  believe  that  they  are  in  this  house. 

[Sta?nps  up  and  down,  looking  around. 

Kellond 

[Points  to  table.]  Look,  there  they  have  been 
breaking  fast.  It  is  too  late  to  deny.  We  have 
them  at  last. 

Mistress  Allerton 

If  by  malignants  you  mean  the  Colonels,  I  own 
they  have  been  here.  [Points  to  table.]  I  could  not 
deny  them  a  morsel  of  food.  But  when  the  child 
returned  they  at  once  left  the  house  by  that  door  and 
hastened  away. 

Kellond 

A  likely  story!  Nay,  they  are  somewhere  in  the 
house. 

Kirk 

Why  should  they  stay  to  be  caught?  Nay,  they 
have  gone,  I  tell  thee.    Away! 

Kellond 

[Hesitates.]  If  they  have,  every  moment  is  precious 
—but 


48        LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Kirk 

[Spying  Elizabeth  still  on  stool,  marches  up  to 
her,  shaking  her  by  arm.]  And  where  are  thy  visitors 
now !    Fy,  little  maid,  to  tell  a  lie ! 

Elizabeth 

Let  me  go,  sir.  I  did  not  know  they  were  here.  I 
told  no  lie.  But  now  they  are  gone  and  thou  wilt 
catch  them! 

[Sobs. 
Kirk 

She  tells  the  truth !  Went  they  towards  the  market- 
place? 

Elizabeth 
No! 

[Covers  her  mouth  with  her  hand. 

Kirk 

[Shaking  her.]  The  Neck  Lane?  Speak,  or  the 
King  will  clap  thee  in  prison ! 

[Elizabeth  is  silent. 

Kellond 
The  Neck  Lane  it  was ! 

Exeunt  Kirk  and  Kellond 

[Crying.]     Neck  Lane!  to  horse!  to  horse!  on!  on! 
[Noise  of  departure  continues  and  comes 
in  through  open  window. 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  49 

Elizabeth 

[Goes  to  window.]  Will  the  King  clap  me  in 
prison?  Will  they  find  the  Colonels?  [Cries  hard, 
saying  in  her  sobs]  Oh  deary  me!     Oh  deary  me!  etc. 

Mistress  Allerton 

[Still  standing  by  stool,  front  right,  looking  tri- 
umphant.]    Nay,  weep  not  so,  child! 

Elizabeth 
[Continues.]     Oh  deary  me!    Oh  deary  me!  etc. 

Mistress  Allerton 

[Goes  to  her,  puts  hand  on  shoulder.]  I  am  sure 
they  will  not.  Ask  me  no  questions,  but  /  am  sure 
they  will  not! 

Elizabeth 

[Stops  crying,  looks  into  Mistress  Allerton's  face, 
looks  at  Cabinet,  steps  towards  it,  looks  back  at  Mis- 
tress Allerton,  laughs,  and  throws  arms  around 
Mistress  Allerton's  neck.]     Oh,  Grandmother! 

curtain 


SCENE  VII 

CHARACTERS 

Colonel  Whalley.  William  Jones. 

Colonel  Goffe.  Deputy  Gilbert. 

John  Davenport.  Sperry's  Boy. 

Three  years  later.  Judges'  Cave  on  West  Rock, 
New  Haven  Colony,  October  13,  1664. 

Judges'  Cave  in  right  back  corner  of  stage.  Cloth 
blackboards  hung  from  ceiling  over  the  corner,  if  hung 
askew,  make  good  rock  background.  Tables  under- 
neath covered  with  gray  shawls  over  inverted  chairs 
continue  idea  of  the  real  Judges'  Cave.  Green  boughs 
and  twigs  tucked  around  the  edges  of  the  boards  and 
where  the  tables  fit  into  the  walls  and  the  gray  shawl 
or  drapery  touch  the  floor,  green  boughs  on  the  floor, 
on  the  walls,  over  the  door,  would  add  to  the  outdoor 
effect.  Goffe  and  Whalley  must  stand  on  the  tables 
and  the  green  boughs  on  the  tables  must  be  high 
enough  to  let  them  dodge  down  behind  and  hide  when 
the  Sperry  Boy  comes.  Stump  for  Sperry  Boy  to 
place  pail  on.  Goffe's  carving  on  rock  is  done  with 
piece  of  chalk. 

50 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  51 

Curtain  rises  on  Whalley  and  Goffe  standing  on 
rock  in  front  of  Judges'  Cave  looking  off  over  the 
valley  below. 

Whalley 

And  to-day  we  look  on  this  scene  for  the  last  time. 
Those  gentle  streams  rolling  through  the  goodly 
meadows  to  the  sea;  the  mighty  forests,  broken  by  the 
clearings  made  by  the  stout  arms  of  the  settlers;  the 
blue  hills,  lying  like  some  great  giant  to  the  north 
and  the  smiling  blue  harbor  and  vast  sea  to  the  south. 

Goffe 

The  New  Haven  folk  dwell  in  a  fair  land.  See, 
[pointing']  is  not  that  the  spot  where  stands  the  Neck 
Bridge  under  which  we  found  cold  comfort  the  day 
the  King's  Officers  galloped  over  our  heads? 

Whalley 
[Looking.']     'Tis  near  there,  the  trees  hide  it,  but 
I    see    plainly   the   field   of    Mr.    Sperry  which   thou 
crossed  while  making  pretense  of  hoeing  it  under  the 
very  eyes  of  Kirk. 

Goffe 

And  did  I  not  run  when  I  at  last  reached  the 
woods!  'Tis  but  a  small  space  but  how  vast  it  was 
that  day!     [Laughs.] 

[Sound  of  whistling  or  singing  is  heard. 
Whalley  and  Goffe  bend  down  be- 
hind bushes. 


52        LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Whalley 
[Whispers.]     Who  comes  yonder? 

Goffe 
Sperry's  boy! 

[Enter  Sperry's  Boy,  whistling,  with 
pail  tied  in  cloth;  leaves  it  by  stump, 
goes  out  whistling. 

GOFFE 

He  has  not  grown  much  in  stature  in  the  two  years 
we  have  tarried  at  Milford.  Doth  he  still  seek  the 
woodman  for  whom  his  father  bid  him  bring  food 
every  day? 

Whalley 

This  hiding  place  was  a  safe  shelter  for  us  until 
the  savage  surprised  us. 

Goffe 

I  remember  well  the  other  visitor,  no  less  unwel- 
come, who  with  his  furious  cry  roused  us  from  our 
slumbers  and  sent  us  hurrying  down  the  mountain  to 
friend  Sperry's. 

[Laughs. 
Whalley 
Thou  meanest  the  catamount  who  thrust  his  horrid 
head  with   glaring  yellow  eyes  into  our  cave!     We 
were  indeed  affrighted. 

[Laughs. 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  53 

GOFFE 

And  to-night  we  flee  from  here,  before  the  arrival 
of  the  four  new  Royal  Commissioners,  to  the  distant 
frontier  of  Massachusetts. 

Whalley 

We  have  found  New  Haven  winters  biting,  but 
those  of  Hadiey  are  more  bitter. 

Goffe 

The  savages,  Mr.  Russell  writes,  are  bloodthirsty 
and  desperate.  I  would  I  could  live  a  man's  life  again 
and  have  a  set-to  with  them.  [Flourishes  sivord.]  A 
sorry  lot  we  have!  always  outcasts  and  homeless  wan- 
derers, hiding  by  day!  fleeing  by  night!  All  we 
fought  for  lost!  England's  liberties  bleeding  under 
the  son  of  the  tyrant!  Would  I  had  died  with  Crom- 
well, the  cause  of  freedom  is  lost! 

Whalley 

Nay,  my  son,  freedom  is  not  lost!  With  our  own 
eyes  we  have  seen  its  stormy  day  dawn  over  England. 
The  black  clouds  of  tyranny  but  make  men  long  more 
fiercely  for  its  dazzling  light.  Neither  are  all  dead 
who  love  it.  Why,  man!  if  thou  and  I  are  alive  this 
day  'tis  because  the  men,  women,  and  children  of  New 
England  hate  tyrants  and  love  liberty! 


54        LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

GOFFE 

'Tis  true, — thou  givest  me  new  heart.  England's 
hope  still  lives  while  she  has  sons  like  these  New  Eng- 
enders to  maintain  in  this  wilderness  her  ancient  lib- 
erties and  laws. 

Whalley 

Is  there  not  something  in  the  very  air  of  this  New 
England  that  bids  liberty  live  and  tyranny  perish? 
[Voices  are  heard.]  But  who  comes?  [Both  stoop, 
look  through  branches.]  It  is  John  Davenport, 
and 

Goffe 

Will  Jones  and  Deputy  Gilbert. 

[Enter  Davenport,  Jones,  Gilbert. 

Davenport 
Good  day,  Colonel  Whalley. 

Jones 
I  bid  thee  good  day,  sirs. 

Gilbert 

Good  day,  good  day,  sirs! 

Goffe  and  Whalley 
Good  day  to  you,  sirs,  good  day! 


HIDING  THE  REGICIDES  55 

Davenport 
We  have  come  to  wish  you  farewell. 

Jones 

You  are  to  be  in  Sperry's  orchard  at  dusk,  the 
horses  are  chosen  and  the  guide  has  come. 

Gilbert 

It  is  with  sorrow  that  we  see  thee  go,  Colonel 
Whalley. 

Whalley 

Hatchet  Harbor,  the  Lodge,  and  this  cave  have 
made  us  welcome  shelters. 

GOFFE 

[Begins  to  carve  letters  on  rock.] 

Gilbert 

Thou  spentest  several  weeks  at  Hatchet  Harbor.  Is 
it  far  from  here? 

Whalley 

It  is  four  or  five  miles  distant.  [Turns  to  Goffe.] 
My  son,  I  would  fain  clamber  down  to  our  friends; 
lend  me  thy  arm What  art  thou  doing? 


56       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

GOFFE 

[Continues  to  carve.~\  I  would  leave  a  message 
written  in  the  rock  itself  for  thy  children's  children  to 
read;  Mr.  Davenport. 

[Gilbert    and   Jones    help   Whalley 
down. 

Davenport 

[Reads]  "  O-p-p-o "    What  may  it  be,  Colonel? 

[All  are  watching  Goffe. 

Goffe 

[Takes  off  hat  to  Davenport.]  'Tis  graven  on  thy 
own  heart,  John  Davenport.  "  Opposition  to  tyrants 
is  obedience  to  God." 

[All    remove    their    hats    and    lift    them 
above  their  heads  and  exclaim : 

All 

"  Opposition  to  tyrants  is  obedience  to  God."  Yea. 
Yea. 

CURTAIN 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY 

A  School  Play 
In   Three   Acts 


HISTORICAL  NOTE 

The  summer  of  1776  was  one  of  great  anxiety  for 
Washington.  He  was  expected  by  Congress  to  hold 
New  York  at  any  cost  against  the  British.  But  Put- 
nam's disaster  on  Brooklyn  Heights  necessitated  the 
retreat  from  Long  Island  and  made  the  loss  of  New 
York  City  only  a  question  of  days. 

Washington's  main  army  retreated  to  Harlem 
Heights,  leaving  two  brigades  in  the  city  and  three 
scattered  from  Fifteenth  Street  to  Thirty-fourth 
Street  (Kip's  Bay)  to  watch  the  enemy.  On  the  15th 
of  September,  after  a  fierce  bombardment  of  the  Amer- 
ican breastworks  at  Kip's  Bay,  the  British  made  a 
landing.  The  Americans  were  panic-stricken  and  fled. 
Nothing  remained  but  to  continue  the  retreat  to  Har- 
lem Heights.  The  three  brigades  that  were  posted  on 
the  East  River  did  this;  the  two  in  the  city  seemed 
lost,  for  Howe,  the  English  general,  had  only  to 
stretch  his  troops  from  the  East  River  to  the  Hudson 
to  cut  off  their  escape.  Putnam  through  extraordinary 
exertions  brought  these  brigades  safely  into  the  Har- 
lem camp  that  night. 

Professor  Henry  P.  Johnston  of  the  College  of  the 
City  of  New  York,  in  his  "  Campaign  of  1776  Around 
New  York  and   Brooklyn,"   writes  as  follows:  "  Al- 

59 


60  HISTORICAL  NOTE 

though  skilfully  conducted,  this  escape  is  to  be  re- 
ferred, in  reality,  to  Howe's  supineness  and  the  hos- 
pitality of  Mrs.  Robert  Murray,  at  whose  house  the 
British  generals  stopped  for  rest  and  refreshment  after 
driving  back  our  troops.  Instead  of  continuing  a 
vigorous  pursuit  or  making  any  effort  to  intercept 
other  parties,  they  spent  a  valuable  interval  at  the 
board  of  their  entertaining  hostess,  whose  American 
sympathies  added  flavor  and  piquancy  to  the  conversa- 
tion." "  Mrs.  Murray,"  says  Dr.  Thacher  in  his  mili- 
tary journal,  "  treated  them  with  cake  and  wine,  and 
they  were  induced  to  tarry  two  hours  or  more,  Gov- 
ernor Tryon  frequently  joking  her  about  her  American 
friends.  By  this  happy  incident,  General  Putnam,  by 
continuing  his  march,  escaped  a  rencounter  with  a 
greatly  superior  force,  which  must  have  proved  fatal  to 
his  whole  party.  Ten  minutes,  it  is  said,  wTould  have 
been  sufficient  for  the  enemy  to  have  secured  the  road 
at  the  turn  and  entirely  cut  off  General  Putnam's 
retreat.  It  has  since  become  almost  a  common  saying 
among  our  officers,  that  Mrs.  Murray  saved  this  part 
of  the  American  army." 


CHARACTERS 

General  Howe         \ 

General  Tryon         >  English  officers. 

Captain  Campbell  ) 

Lieutenant  Tom  Treat,  of  the  American  army. 

Mr.  Robert  Murray,  Quaker. 

Mrs.  Robert  Murray,  Quaker. 

Miss  Delight  Murray  \ 

Miss  Phcebe  Murray     >  their  daughters. 

Miss  Faith  Murray       ) 

Philip     \ 

Spencer  V  the  Morris  Children  visiting  the  Murrays. 

Patty      ) 

Mammy,  their  colored  nurse. 

A  Hessian  Orderly. 

Aunt  Polly,  old  apple-woman. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY 

ACT  I 

SCENE 

In  Mrs.  Murray's  Parlor,  Inclenburg,  Murray 
Hill,  New  York,  September  15,  1776. 

Entrances  two,  right  and  left.  Small  table  against 
wall  to  right  of  window,  five  chairs,  loiv  chest  or 
settle.  Basket  of  knitting,  wound  balls  of  wool,  shawl 
and  skirt  and  apron  in  bundle  on  table.  Mr.  Murray 
seated  by  table.  Mrs.  Murray  seated  to  right  front 
winding  yarn,  which  Faith  holds.  Phcebe,  left 
front,  on  settle,  sewing.  Lieutenant  Treat  at  win- 
dow, back.  Delight,  with  traveling  wraps  on,  leans 
on  chair,  center  back. 

Mrs.  Murray 

[To  Delight.]  Thou  hast  missed  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  George  Washington ;  he  made  our  house  his 
headquarters  while  thou  wast  with  thy  Tory  friends. 

Mr.  Murray 

Yes,  we  had  several  edifying  talks  with  George. 
He  is  a  man  of  great  parts. 

63 


64      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Delight 

He  will  lose  New  York  as  he  lost  Long  Island,  for 
all  that. 

Phoebe 

So  your  Tory  friends  say. 

Lieutenant  Treat 

He  has  not  lost  it  yet.  We  have  men  here  to  dis- 
pute any  landing  Howe  may  attempt  and  Putnam's 
division  of  more  than  3,000  still  hold  Fort  Bayard  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  city. 

Delight 

Putnam!  a  fine  defense  for  the  town!  See  how 
his  mismanagement  gave  Howe  Brooklyn  Heights! 
His  troops  run  at  the  sight  of  the  enemy! 

Faith 

How  you  talk,  Delight!  This  comes  from  visiting 
those  Tory  Carletons. 

Lieutenant  Treat 

If  you  had  been  on  the  battlefield  of  the  Heights, 
as  I  was,  the  night  after  the  battle,  you  would  have 
seen  that  all  of  Putnam's  men  did  not  run  at  the 
sight  of  the  British. 

[Turns  away. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  65 

Mrs.  Murray 

Yes,  Delight,  hast  thou  forgotten  already  thy  poor 
cousin  Reuben? 

Phcebe 

And  the  Clay  boys,  and  the  DeForests.  Fy,  De- 
light ! 

Delight 

It  were  a  pity  if  there  were  not  a  few  brave  Amer- 
icans. I  suppose  it  is  folly  to  blame  the  militia  for 
running  away  when  their  General  himself  sets  them 
such  an  exalted  example! 

Mr.  Murray 

Daughter,  thy  language  is  light  and  ill-timed.  I  am 
satisfied  that  our  General  is  acting  in  the  wisest  pos- 
sible way.  Putnam's  defeat  on  Long  Island  made 
Washington's  retreat  imperative. 

Mrs.  Murray 

Delight,  I  blush  for  thee!  Did  not  Washington, 
with  his  untrained  militia,  drive  Howe  and  his  regulars 
in  hot  haste  from  Boston  only  last  March? 

Delight 

Yes,  but  now  Howe  has  returned  with  more  British 
regulars  than  before  and  with  a  splendid  fleet  to  boot, 


66       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

and   Washington   still   has   his  handful   of   untrained 
militia.     Provincials! 

Lieutenant  Treat 

Yes,  Mistress  Delight,  you  are  right.  Washington 
has  an  undisciplined,  unreliable  army.  Few  of  us  have 
faced  a  cannon ;  we  distrust  one  another  and  ourselves. 
But,  Mistress  Delight,  you  can  tell  your  Tory  friends 
that  we  are  inspired  by  the  noblest  cause  men  ever 
fought  for,  and  that  even  Provincials  will  in  time  be- 
come an  invincible  force  under  such  a  leader  as  George 
Washington ! 

Faith  and  Phcebe 

Yes!  yes!  long  live  General  Washington!  Long 
live  the  army!    Delight,  you're  a  Tory! 

[Wave  sewing. 

Children 

[Outside.]  Oh,  here  comes  Aunt  Polly!  Let  us 
buy  some  apples!    Come,  Aunt  Polly! 

Delight 
Are  the  Morris  children  here  still? 

Mrs.  Murray 

Yes,  dear  little  souls! 

[Enter  Patty  and  Spencer. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  67 

Patty 

Dear  Mr.  Murray,  Aunt  Polly  is  coming!     Aunt 
Polly  is  coming!    Could  I  have  a  penny  for  apples? 

[Runs  to  him. 

Spencer 

Aunt  Polly  is  coming!     Oh,  could  we  please  buy 
some  apples? 

Aunt  Polly 

[Outside.]      Rich,   ripe,   red,    rosy   apples!   ap-ples! 
apples! 

Lieutenant  Treat 

[Catching  up  Patty.]     Rich,  ripe,  red,  rosy  apples! 
ap-ples!  ap-ples! 

[Imitates  Aunt  Polly. 

Spencer 
Oh,  do  it  again! 

Patty 

That's  just  like  her! 

[Exeunt   Mr.   Murray   and  Spencer 
hand  in  hand. 

Mrs.  Murray 

Yes,  bring  Aunt  Polly  in !    Here  are  some  garments 
I  set  by  for  her  this  morning. 

[Takes  from  table  shawl,  skirt,  and  apron. 


68       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Patty 
[To  Lieutenant  Treat.]     Put  them  on  and  call 
out  "  apples." 

[Faith  and  Phcebe  pull  the  skirt  over 
Lieutenant  Treat's  head,  fasten  it, 
put  shawl  over  his  head,  pin  it  under 
chin,  tie  apron.  He  takes  Delight's 
parasol  for  a  cane. 

Phoebe 
We  ought  to  have  four  shawls.    Here,  pin  it ! 

Faith 

I've  never  seen  her  with  less  than  five.     Now,  bend 
over!     Farther  than  that. 

Patty 

[Hands  baskets  with  balls  of  wool.]     Here  is  your 
apple-basket. 

Phcebe 

Here  is  Aunt  Polly;  see  what  she  will  say! 

[Enter  Aunt  Polly,  bent  double,  shawl 
over  head  almost  concealing  face,  big 
apple-basket  in  one  hand,  cane  in  other. 

Aunt  Polly 
[Calling  as  she  enters.]     Rich,  ripe,  red,  rosy  ap- 
ples! apples!  apples! 

[Enter  Spencer  and  Philip. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  69 

Lieutenant  Treat 

[Imitates  walk  and  cry   of  Aunt  Polly.]     Rich, 
ripe,  red,  rosy  apples!  apples!  apples! 

Aunt  Polly 
[Peers  at  him  and  sloivly  hobbles  towards  him.'] 

Lieutenant  Treat 
[Peers  at  her  and  slowly  hobbles  towards  her.] 

Spencer 
Why,  Philip!    Why,  look! 

Patty 

[Clapping   hands,    dancing    up    ind   down.]     Two 
Aunt  Pollys! 

Aunt  Polly 

[Shakes  apple  in  front  of  Lieutenant  Treat.] 
Who'll  buy  my  apples!  apples!  apples! 

Lieutenant  Treat 

[Shakes  ball  of  worsted  in  face  of  Aunt  Polly.] 
Who'll  buy  my  apples!  apples!  apples! 

All 
[Laugh.] 


70       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Aunt  Polly 

[Listens   to    him,    then    says   dryly]    Take   off   thy 
shawl,  Master  Tom;  I  know  all  thy  tricks. 

Mrs.  Murray 

Thou  canst  not  fool  friend  Polly,  Thomas. 

Faith 
She  found  you  out! 

Lieutenant  Treat 

Good  lack!  Aunt  Polly,  you're  too  smart  for  me. 

[Laughs — takes  off  shawl,  etc. 

Aunt  Polly 

Thou  wast  always  a  great  boy  for  tricks,  ever  since 
thou  wast  that  high. 

[Points  to  Patty. 

Lieutenant  Treat 

I  believe  she  wanted  these  herself. 

[Gives  clothes  to  Aunt  Polly. 

Mrs.  Murray 

Yes,   they  will  look  better  on  thee.     Shall  I  put 
them  in  thy  basket? 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  71 

Aunt  Polly 

Nay,  nay,  I'll  just  put  them  on,  and  then  I'll  know 
where  they  be. 

[Puts  on  shawl. 

Delight 
But  it  is  so  warm  to-day ! 

Aunt  Polly 

Ay !  ay !  and  it  will  be  warmer  yet !  What  art  thou 
doing  here,  Master  Tom,  and  the  Redcoats  soon  land- 
ing at  Kip's  Bay? 

Delight 

Why,  that's  right  below  us! 

Mrs.  Murray 
How  dost  thou  know? 

Aunt  Polly 

From  the  top  of  the  hill,  as  I  tarried  for  a  breath, 
I  marked  their  boats  full  of  soldiers  making  towards 
the  land. 

Lieutenant  Treat 

Landing!  Kip's  Bay!  I'm  away!  [Looks  for  hat, 
which  Philip  has  on.]  We  must  hold  them  at  the 
landing.  This  is  the  worst  of  news!  Patty,  have  you 
my  hat? 


72        LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Mrs.  Murray 

Why  the  worst  of  news? 

LIEUTENANT  TREAT 

Because  if  they  make  us  retreat  from  here  they  will 
cut  off  Putnam's  division  of  3,000  men  back  in  the 
city.  Where  is  my  hat?  We  can't  lose  3,000  men 
now! 

Mrs.  Murray 

Nay,  but  tarry  a  moment,  Thomas!  Will  there 
be  fighting  at  Kip's  Bay? 

Lieutenant  Treat 

[Still  striding  up  and  down.]  I  hope  so,  if  we 
Provincials  do  not  take  to  our  heels  again.  [Makes 
low  bow  to  Delight.  Snatches  hat  from  Philip.] 
Here,  you  little  rascal!  [Kisses  Mrs.  Murray's 
hand.]  Farewell,  dear  Madame!  Farewell,  dear 
girls ! 

Mrs.  Murray 

May  the  Lord  protect  thee,  dear  lad! 

[Guns  are  heard. 

Patty 

[Clinging  to  Treat.]  Oh!  I  hear  the  guns!  Don't 
go  and  get  killed!  don't  go  and  get  killed! 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  73 

Faith 
Hark!    Yes,  those  are  the  guns! 

Phcebe 
Oh,  dreadful ! 

Lieutenant  Treat 

[Stooping  to  kiss  Patty  and  loosen  her  hands.']  I'll 
come  back  and  sell  you  all  some  more  "  Apples !  Ap- 
ples!   Apples!  " 

[Throws  worsted  balls  at  Children; 
goes  out  running,  followed  by  Chil- 
dren. 

[Sound  of  horses'  feet — guns. 

CURTAIN 


ACT  II 

Scene  same  as  Act  I.    Two  hours  later. 

Spencer  writing  at  table,  center;  Phcebe  at  his  left. 
Mammy  knitting  at  left.  Delight  at  right  front 
with  Patty  in  lap.  Philip  at  her  side,  looking  at 
picture  book  she  is  showing  them. 

Spencer 

That's  a  good  g,  I  like  that  g.  Philip  couldn't  make 
such  a  fine  g. 

[Holds  up  letter. 

Philip 

Yes,  I  could. 

Spencer 

No,  you  couldn't. 

Phcebe 

You'll  never  have  done,  Spencer,  unless  you  hasten, 
e-n-e-r-a-1. 

Spencer 

[Writing.]     G-e-n-e-r-a-1.     Now  don't  tell  me!    I 

know  how  to  spell,  Washington.    W-a-s 

74 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  75 

Phcebe 

Oh,  Spencer!  not  a  small  w,  a  large  one! 

Spencer 
[Anxiously.]     Is  it  spoilt? 

Philip 

[To  Delight.]  Spencer  spells  Washington  with  a 
small  w. 

[Laughs. 

Spencer 
[Indignantly.]     You  couldn't  spell  it  at  all! 

Delight 

Come,  Master  Philip,  I  thought  we  were  looking  at 
pictures. 

Phcebe 

Perchance  I  can  change  it. 

[Bends  over  letter. 
Delight 

[To  Phcebe.]  The  cannonading  has  ceased;  I 
wonder  what  that  can  mean. 

Phcebe 

Yes,  I  noticed  that.  Do  you  suppose  we've  driven 
the  British  back  to  their  boats?  Why  would  not 
Father  permit  us  to  go  with  him  and  see? 


76        LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Patty 

When  Tom's  beaten  the  British  he'll  come  back  and 
sell  us  some  more  apples. 

Philip 

Like  this,  "  Rich,  ripe,  red,  rosy  apples!  "  I  thought 
there  were  two  Aunt  Pollys. 

Patty 

I  knew,  didn't  I,  Delight?  I  could  tell  him  even 
in  the  dark;  he  says,  "  Apples,  apples  "  like  that. 

Mammy 

It's  time  you  chilluns  went  to  pick  up  the  playhouse 
fl0' — all  yo'r  toys'll  jes  be  trompled  to  splinters.  Soop 
as  Master  Spencer  finish  his  Mommy's  letter,  we'll 
be  'bleeged  to  go  and  set  about  it. 

Philip 

Oh,  no,  Mammy,  not  now.  [In  loud  whisper.'] 
Delight  is  showing  us  pictures  and  it  would  not  be 
perlite. 

Mammy 

[Placidly.']  Jes'  as  soon  as  Mas'er  Spencer  gets 
through,  we  starts. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  77 

Spencer 

You  needn't  wait  for  me,  Mammy;  you  can  leave 
my  blocks  and  I'll  pick  them  up  to-morrow. 

Philip 
Yes,  Mammy,  I'll  pick  my  toys  up  to-morrow,  too. 

Patty 
I'll  pick  my  toys  up  to-morrow. 

Mammy 

To-morrow  don't  neber  come,  honey;  all  de  time 
you's  got  is  jes'  to-day. 

Spencer 

[Stretches  arms.]  There  now,  Phoebe,  it's  all  done. 
It  is  a  long  letter.  Mother  will  like  it.  Thank  you 
for  helping  me.  [Puts  arms  around  Phcebe's  neck.] 
Now  I'll  read  it.  [Stands  on  chair.]  "  My  honored 
Mother.  I  read  every  day  with  Faith;  Phoebe  helps 
me  write.     Mrs.  Murray  says  that  I  am  industrious. 

General  Washington "    Now  isn't  that  a  good  G? 

[Shows  letter  to  others,  Philip  sniffs  at  it.]  "  General 
Washington  galloped  past  the  window  on  his  white 
horse  to  fight  the  British ;  he  is  going  to  beat  General 
Howe  as  he  did  at  Boston.  Tom  says  so,  and  he 
knows.     We  want  to  see  you.     Patty  had  a  ride  on 


78       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

General  Washington's  horse.     My  duty  to  my  hon- 
ored father.     From  your  son  Spencer." 

[Folds  letter. 

Delight 

That's  a  fine  letter,  in  truth.  Will  you  send  it  to 
the  ferry  by  Aunt  Polly? 

Spencer 
Yes,  when  she  comes  back. 

Mammy 

[Folding  knitting  and  rising.]  Now,  chilluns,  we 
starts  for  to  put  up  dem  toys,  right  away,  imejit. 

Philip 
But,  Mammy,  why  can't  we  wait  till  to-morrow? 

Mammy 

Yo'  don't  neber  cotch  to-morrow,  honey,  yo'  don't 
neber  get  near  enough  to  put  salt  on  his  tail.  [Sol- 
emnly.] All  you  hab  is  jes'  to-day!  To-morrow  neber 
comes. 

Patty 

Why,  yesterday  we  had  to-morrow,  and  to-day 

Philip 

[Interrupts.]  And  to-day,  we  have  to-day! 
Mammy  is  right.    To-morrow  neber  comes. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  79 

Spencer 
All  we  have  is  just  to-day. 

Children 

Come  orij  Mammy!  all  we  have  is  just  to-day!  [Go 
out  laughing,  dragging  Mammy  with  them.~\  To- 
morrow neber  comes;  all  we  have  is  just  to-day,  etc. 

[Enter  Mrs.  Murray  and  Faith,  right. 

Mrs.  Murray 

Thy  father  is  coming  up  the  drive;  he  was  talking 
to  a  horseman  at  the  gate  and  perchance  he  has  some 
news  of  our  men. 

[Enter  Mr.  Murray  slowly. 

Mr.  Murray 

News!    Ay,  the  most  appalling  news! 

Mrs.  Murray,  Delight,  Phcebe,  and  Faith 
[Gather  around  him.]     What  is  it?    What  is  it? 

Mr.  Murray 

Our  army  is  in  full  retreat  for  Harlem.  They  were 
seized  by  panic  and  fled  without  striking  a  blow! 

Mrs.  Murray 
Incredible,  Robert! 


80       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Mr.  Murray 

Would  it  were  not  so,  but  I  saw  the  last  part  of  the 
affair  myself. 

Faith 
Oh,  continue,  Father;  continue!    I  beg! 

Mr.  Murray 
Tom  has  just  told  me,  that  under  cover  of  a  can- 
nonade from  the  frigates  the  British  landed  troops 
near  our  redoubts  down  here  at  Kip's  Bay.  Our  men 
retired  from  the  redoubts  and  drew  up  in  line  to  meet 
the  approaching  foe.  But  although  the  Americans  out- 
numbered the  enemy  at  first,  at  the  appearance  of  only 
sixty  or  seventy  of  the  British,  they  were  seized  with 
panic  and  scattered  and  ran. 

Delight 
How  shameful! 

Mr.  Murray 

Putnam  succeeded  in  rallying  them  once,  but  the 
Connecticut  militia  broke  again  before  any  attack  was 
made. 

Mrs.  Murray 

How  distressing!    Was  Washington  there? 

Mr.  Murray 
Yes,  and  his  anger  was  great  at  such  cowardice. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  81 

He  rode  into  the  midst  of  the  fleeing  militia,  ordering 
them  to  re-form  behind  the  stone  wall  or  in  the  corn- 
field. 

Phcebe 

What!  our  cornfield? 

Mr.  Murray 

Yes,  our  cornfield;  and  in  his  bitterness  he  so  ut- 
terly forgot  his  own  danger,  that  it  is  said  he  would 
have  been  killed  if  one  of  his  aides  had  not  pulled 
the  bridle  of  his  horse  and  changed  his  course. 

Mrs.  Murray 

How  brave  he  is! 

Faith 

[Suddenly   bursting  into  tears.]      Oh!     Oh!     Oh! 
It  seems  as  though  I  could  not  bear  it. 

Phcebe  and  Mrs.  Murray 
Bear  what,  dear  child? 

Faith 

To — to — to — have  the  Americans  run  from  the 
British.    Oh!     Oh! 


82         LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Delight 

Never  mind,  sweetheart!  It  was  the  Connecticut 
militia  and  not  the  New  Yorkers. 

Mr.  Murray 

The  New  Yorkers  ran,  too,  as  fast  as  the  others! 
I  saw  Tom  a  moment;  he  told  me  this  and  could 
scarce  look  at  me. 

Mrs.  Murray 

Thomas  would  feel  the  cowardice  of  his  Connecticut 
men  keenly. 

Mr.  Murray 

As  Tom  was  adjusting  his  saddle,  Putnam  went  by 
like  an  arrow,  back  into  the  city  to  try  and  rescue  the 
Brigade  at  Bayard's  Hill  Fort  and  bring  them  safe 
to  Harlem. 

Phcebe 

Why,  way  down  town!    They  will  never  get  away. 

Mr.  Murray 

Tom  no  sooner  spied  him  than  he  leapt  to  his  horse 
and  was  after  him ;  he's  one  of  Putnam's  aides. 

Mrs.  Murray 

If  Putnam's  division  were  captured,  would  that  be 
the  end  of  the  war? 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  83 

Mr.  Murray 

No,  as  long  as  we  have  an  army  in  the  field  there 
is  hope;  but  to  lose  3,000  men,  as  well  as  the  city  of 
New  York,  will  be  a  terrible  blow.  ...  A  terrible 
blow. 

Faith 

Will  Putnam  try  to  lead  his  men  to  the  army  at 
Harlem  by  the  Kingsbridge  road,  or  the  Bloomingdale 
road? 

Mr.  Murray 

He  must  needs  take  the  Bloomingdale  road  to  the 
west  of  us,  by  the  Hudson.  Howe's  men  are  in  pos- 
session of  the  East  road,  the  Kingsbridge  road.  But 
in  ten  minutes'  march  from  this  house,  Howe  can 
secure  the  turn  of  the  Bloomingdale  road  also. 

[Draws  map  with  cane  on  the  floor. 


Delight 


And  then? 


Mr.  Murray 
[Still  pointing.]     With  the  Kingsbridge  road  and 
the  Bloomingdale  road  in  Howe's  hands  and  his  men 
holding  our   road   across   the   island   controlling  both 
roads?     Putnam  is  lost! 

[Beats  hands  together. 

Mrs.  Murray 
If  only  our  men  had  delayed  Howe  an  hour  or  two! 


84       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Mr.  Murray 

Fatal  panic!  Putnam  could  easily  have  saved  his 
division  with  two  hours'  start.  Now  the  poor  fellows 
will  strain  every  nerve  to  save  themselves,  only  to  be 
taken  prisoners  or  killed  at  the  Bloomingdale  turn,  and 
in  this  heat,  too ! 

[Goes  to  windoiv. 

Phcebe 
This  withering  heat !    Oh,  the  poor  men ! 

Delight 

Putnam's  men  are  used  to  running;  they  won't 
mind  it! 

Faith 
[Weeping.]     Delight  Murray!     Hold  thy  tongue! 

Mrs.  Murray 

[To  herself,  center  front.]  Two  hours!  If  Howe 
could  but  be  detained! 

Mr.  Murray 
[From  window.]     There,  I  was  expecting  it! 

All 

What? 

Mr.  Murray 

[Pointing.]     The  British  are  coming. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  85 

Mrs.  Murray 
Where?    Dost  thou  see  William  Howe? 

Mr.  Murray 

There,  at  the  head.     Tryon  is  with  him. 

[All  look  out  of  window. 

Mr.  Murray 

I  do  not  want  to  see  him. 

[Turns  away  bitterly. 

Mrs.  Murray 

[With  decision. ,]  But  /  do!  Girls,  hasten!  Come, 
Delight ;  we  will  speak  to  William  Howe. 

[Catches  up  scarf,  throws  over  head,  and 
hurries  out,  dragging  Phcebe,  who 
protests. 

Delight 

What  does  Mother  mean?    Oh,  I  know! 

[Takes  up  hat  and  darts  out. 

Mr.  Murray 

[Looking  after  them,  then  goes  to  window.^  Are 
thy  mother  and  sisters  mad?  Look,  they  are  at  the 
orchard  wall.  Howe  has  stopped — he  is  talking  to 
them! 


86       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Faith 

And  Mother  is  courtesying,  and  they  are  all  bow- 
ing and  talking. 

Mr.  Murray 

[Indignantly.]  Is  Mary  Murray  making  friends 
with  our  enemies,  flushed  and  boastful  as  they  are 
from  their  shameful  victory? 

Faith 

See,  they  are  riding  on ;  no,  they  are  turning  back. 

Mr.  Murray 

They  are  dismounting!  The  soldiers  are  halted 
and  are  breaking  ranks.  Howe  and  Tryon  are  com- 
ing towards  the  house! 

Faith 

Oh,  why  didn't  we  understand  before!  Of  course! 
Of  course! 

[Runs  out. 
Mr.  Murray 

[Looks  after  her.~\  And  now  she's  gone!  [Calls 
after.]     Faith!     Faith  Murray!  come  back! 

[Re-enter  Faith. 

Faith 

Oh,  Father:  what  is  it?  let  me  go!  dost  thou  not 
understand  ? 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  87 

Mr.  Murray 

No,  I  do  not  understand  thy  mother  and  thy  sisters! 
and  thee!  One  moment  lamenting  and  weeping  over 
our  defeat,  the  next  parleying  with  the  victorious  foe. 

Faith 

[Holding  Mr.  Murray  by  his  coat  lapels.~\  Oh, 
Father,  dost  thou  not  see!  [Shakes  him  by  his  coat.] 
Mother  will  strive  to  detain  the  British  here  until  Put- 
nam's soldiers  have  made  their  escape.  [Gives  little 
shake.]  Now  be  pleasant,  Father;  smile  on  them! 
Let  me  go!  [Runs  out,  re-enters.]  We  must  keep 
them  two  hours.     Fetch  thy  best  wine,  Father! 

[Runs  out. 
Mr.  Murray 

[Rubs  his  head.]  Truly  the  ways  of  women  are 
amazing. 

CURTAIN 


ACT  III 

Scene  same  as  Act  I.  Mrs.  Murray  center, 
seated.  Mr.  Murray  standing  by  her,  left.  Howe, 
sitting,  right  front.  Tryon,  right  center,  standing. 
Campbell,  left,  standing  by  Phcebe  and  Faith. 
Delight,  sitting,  extreme  right.  All  laughing  and 
talking  before  curtain  rises. 

Howe 

You  were  caught  there,  Tryon;  ha!  ha!  she  had  you 
there! 

Campbell 

You  were  routed  horse  and  foot. 

[Laughs. 

Tryon 

[Laughing.]  It  is  all  very  well  for  you  gentlemen 
to  laugh  at  me,  but  why  don't  you  come  to  my  rescue  ? 

Howe 

We  are  far  too  wise,  my  dear  General;  it  is  too 
diverting  to  watch  your  struggles. 

88 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  89 

Tryon 

They  say  we  British  never  know  when  we  are  con- 
quered, so  I  return  to  the  fray.  I  maintain  you've  seen 
the  last  of  your  runaway  army,  Madam.  Mr.  Wash- 
ington I  am  sorry  for;  he  is  a  gallant  fellow,  but  what 
could  he  expect  from  a  handful  of  undisciplined  yeo- 
manry? Why,  they  ran  like  sheep,  Madam!  Faith, 
'twas  laughable;  before  only  sixty  or  seventy  of  our 
troops.  The  wildest  panic  seized  them,  and  they  ran 
like  sheep,  Madam.  At  the  pace  they  were  going  they 
should  be  near  Canada  now.  [Laughs.]  Would  you 
match  such  cowards  against  our  brave  regulars? 

Mrs.  Murray 

No,  Friend  Tryon,  I  would  not.  Our  men  are  no 
match  for  the  British  in  running  away! 

Tryon 

[Indignantly.]  In  running  away!  Why,  my  dear 
Madam 

Mrs.  Murray 

Yes,  when  it  comes  to  running  away  I  doubt 
whether  even  Americans  could  flee  from  Concord  to 
Boston  as  quickly  as  thy  regulars  did  last  year! 

[Howe,    Campbell,    and    the    Misses 
Murray  laugh. 


90       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Tryon 

But  those  rascally  Yankees, — I  beg  your  pardon, 
Madam,  those  rebels — would  not  meet  our  men  in  a 
fair  fight,  but  concealed  themselves  like  the  bloody 
savages  behind  hedges  and  stone  walls.  The  mode  of 
attack  unusual,  the  foe  invisible,  naturally  our  troops 
were  seized  with — with 


Mrs.  Murray 
[Slyly.]     A  panic? 

Tryon 
Um — er — well,  yes,  a — a  panic,  but- 


Mrs.  Murray 

Yes,  a  panic,  Friend  Tryon,  and  they  ran,  thy  brave 
regulars,  they  ran  like  sheep ! 

[Tryon  makes  hopeless  gesture  and  bends 
to  Mrs.  Murray's  fingers. 

Howe 

[Rises  and  slaps  Tryon  on  shoulder.]  We  must 
make  our  retreat,  General,  to  withdraw  you  f.om  the 
fire  of  the  enemy.  Panic  cannot  be  guarded  against. 
The  most  reliable  soldiers  succumb  to  it.  In  fact,  my 
dear  Madam,  I  must  admit  that  you  see  one  of  its 
victims  before  you.  [Bows.]  You  American  ladies 
wage  such  deadly  warfare  with  your  keen  tongues  and 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  91 

bright  eyes,  that  if  I  do  not  beat  a  retreat  instantly 
we  shall  all  be  taken  captive. 

[Bows. 

Campbell 

[Jumps  up.]  Shall  I  get  the  troops  under  way, 
General  ? 

Mrs.  Murray 

I  protest,  Friend  William;  thou  shalt  not  go  yet. 
Some  of  Robert's  Madeira  thou  hast  had  indeed,  but 
did  I  not  promise  thee  a  peach  punch  such  as  only 
Aunt  Chloe  can  brew?  I  protest  against  such  haste. 
Faith,  speak  to  one  of  the  servants  about  the  punch. 

[Exit  Faith. 

Howe 

If,    as    I    am    told,    Putnam    has   already    escaped 

me 

Campbell 

[Rising.]  Your  Excellency's  pardon,  but  would  it 
not  be  well,  as  a  precaution,  to  send  ahead  troops,  to 
hold  all  the  roads  leading  from  the  city? 

Tryon 

Oh,  Campbell,  pray  be  seated  and  talk  not  of  catch- 
ing those  fleet-footed  Connecticut  rogues.  [Laughs.] 
I  tell  you  that,  Madam  Murray  notwithstanding,  they 
are  at  Hudson's  Bay  by  this  time. 

[Laughs. 


92      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Howe 

Those  Connecticut  rogues  cannot  always  be  de- 
pended on  to  run,  Tryon;  would  that  they  had  run 
from  that  rail  fence  on  Bunker  Hill!  Many  a  brave 
fellow  of  mine  would  be  alive  to-day,  if  those  Con- 
necticut farmers  in  shirt  sleeves  with  laughable  ex- 
cuses for  guns  had  not  obstinately  held  that  frail  de- 
fense in  the  face  of  our  most  persistent  attacks! 

Campbell 
Was  it  so,  indeed!     Untrained  peasants! 

Howe 
And  when  their  powder  gave  out,  they  fought  our 
bayonets  back  with  the  butts  of  their  muskets!     In- 
credible, reckless  bravery! 

Campbell 

A  pity  to  lose  a  brush  with  such  foes!  If  we  pushed 
on  at  once!     Perchance  they  have  not  yet  escaped  us! 

Howe 

My  information  was  most  emphatic  that  Putnam 
had    already    retreated    by    the    Blooming — er — er — 

Bloomingham 

[Turns  to  Mr.  Murray. 

Mr.  Murray 
Bloomingdale  road. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  93 

Howe 

Yes,  the  Bloomingdale  road ;  and  if  that  is  the  case, 

— perhaps 

[Turns  to  the  Girls. 

Delight 
The  sun  is  monstrous  hot  now,  General  Howe. 

Phcebe 
and  Chloe's  peach  punch  is  always  monstrous 


cool. 

Howe 

You  see,  Mistress  Murray,  [sinks  down  in  chair~\ 
my  panic  is  justified ;  we  are  your  prisoners  for  a  few 
minutes  more. 

Campbell 
[Slowly  reseats  himself. ,] 

Mrs.  Murray 

'Twould  indeed  be  a  cowardly  action  to  flee  before 
the  peach  punch,  Friend  William. 

Howe 
[To  Phcebe.]     And  may  I  beg  of  Mistress  Phcebe 


94        LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

the  favor  of  seeing  the  famous  sampler  of  her  grand- 
mother's of  which  she  spoke? 

Phoebe 

[Rising.]  With  pleasure.  It  hangs  in  the  hall. 
Will  you  come? 

Mrs.  Murray 

Tell  all  about  the  design,  Phcebe. 

[Phcebe    goes    off,    right,    followed    by 
Howe. 

Howe 

[As  he  disappears.]  Now  Lady  Margaret  Sidney, 
first  paints 

Campbell 

[Aside  to  Tryon.]  I  would  the  General  would 
let  me  press  on  ahead;  I'm  not  so  sure  this  Putnam 
can  have  made  his  escape. 

Tryon 

Why,  the  General's  advices  were  reliable.  Pa- 
tience, my  hot  young  blade!  Putnam  has  escaped  to- 
day, but  we'll  bag  all  of  them  to-morrow.  Here,  Miss 
Delight,  talk  to  this  would-be  deserter. 

[Campbell,  Tryon,  Delight  talk,  left. 
[Enter  Spencer,  left. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  95 

Spencer 

Madam,  Aunt  Polly  wishes  to  speak  to  you  and  I 
told  her  to  come  in. 

[Enter  Lieutenant  Treat,  left,  dis- 
guised as  Aunt  Polly,  shawl  drawn 
way  over  face,  and  Patty. 

Mrs.  Murray 

[Rising,  going  right  front  with  LIEUTENANT 
Treat.]  What  brings  thee  here  so  soon  again,  Aunt 
Polly? 

Lieutenant  Treat 
[Hobbles  in  silence  to  corner  of  stage.] 

Mr.  Murray 

[To  Tryon.]  Perchance  thou  hast  seen  Aunt 
Polly,  the  Apple-woman ;  she  is  quite  a  privileged  char- 
acter in  these  parts. 

[Tryon  nods. 

Patty 

[To  Delight.]  That  is  Tom,  not  Aunt  Polly. 
Don't  tell  Spencer;  he  doesn't  know. 

Delight 

[Whispers.]    Are  you  sure? 


96       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Patty 

[Nods.]     Yes.    Don't  tell  Spencer. 

[Starts  to  dance  off  near  Lieutenant 
Treat. 

Delight 

[Pulls  her  back. ,]  Then  don't  tell  anybody!  We'll 
have  a  great  big  secret!    Here,  stay  with  me! 

[Delight,     Campbell,     Tryon,     and 
Patty  talk,  left. 

Lieutenant  Treat 

[In  Aunt  Polly's  manner.]  I  forgot  to  show  thee 
these  apples. 

[Lifts  his  face  and  shows  Mrs.  Murray 
and  audience  who  he  is. 

Mrs.  Murray 

[Looks  over  her  shoulder.]  Why  hast  thou  ventured 
in  this  house,  reckless  boy?  [Louder.]  I  need  no 
more  apples,  Aunt  Polly!  [Softer.]  What  dost  thou 
want? 

Lieutenant  Treat 

Keep  the  British  here  for  half  an  hour  more  and 
Putnam's  division  will  be  saved.  [Loud.]  But, 
Madam,  these  are  tart  and  savory. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  97 

Campbell 

[7*0    Patty.]     You    know    George    Washington, 
then. 

Patty 
I  had  a  ride  yesterday  on  his  horse. 

Delight 
He  made  this  house  his  headquarters  lately. 

Tryon 
Ah !  then  doubtless  you  know  all  the  General's  plans. 

Delight 

Yes,  I  do,  and  I'll  tell  them. 

[Lieutenant  Treat  refuses  to  be  led 
out  by  Mrs.  Murray,  stops  and  lis- 
tens— grasps  Mrs.  Murray's  wrist. 
Tryon  and  Campbell  stand  with 
backs  to  him. 

Campbell 
Well,  upon  my  word,  that's  monstrous  civil  of  you! 

Delight 
He's  going  to  fight  and 


98       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Tryon 
[Interrupts  with  scornful  laugh.~\     Yes,  and  run. 

Delight 

Yes,  fight  and  run  and  fight !  He  will  give  you  the 
slip  when  you're  surest  of  capturing  him.  He'll  attack 
when  you  least  expect  it.  He'll  never  despair,  and 
he'll  end  by  catching  you  all. 

Lieutenant  Treat 
[Makes  a  motion  of  pleasure,  stands  erect."] 

Mrs.  Murray 
[Draws  him  down,  keeps  him  from  betraying  himself.] 

Tryon 

[Laughs.]  Well,  Campbell,  we  get  little  comfort 
from  this  young  rebel!  Perhaps  Miss  Phoebe  will  be 
kinder  to  us. 

Campbell 

Yes,  show  us  that  famous  sampler,  Miss  Murray, 
that  General  Howe  finds  so  fascinating. 

[Exeunt  Tryon  and  Children,  Camp- 
bell insists  on  going  out  after  DE- 
LIGHT and  turns  back  in  time  to  see 
Lieutenant   Treat   straighten  up 
and  look  after  them. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  99 

Mrs.  Murray 

Out  of  here  this  instant,  thou  mad  boy !  Howe  shall 
be  kept,  fear  not !  Only  go !  Oh,  I  am  in  such  agony ! 
Robert,  take  him  away! 

Lieutenant  Treat 

No,  I  shall  make  my  escape,  do  not  fear!  I  tried 
to  send  the  children  for  you,  but  they  insisted  on  my 
coming  here.  Patty,  the  little  baggage!  recognized 
me  and  kept  me  calling  "  Apples.'* 

Mrs.  Murray 
I  will  not  listen  to  thee.    Go! 

Mr.  Murray 

{Who  is  watching  at  door,  right.]  Begone  while 
there  is  time! 

Lieutenant  Treat 

I'm  off.  [Adjusts  skirt.']  But  this  rigging  is  hard 
to  handle.  I  grabbed  the  top  layer  of  Aunt  Polly's 
attire  and  left  her  guarding  my  horse  by  the  river. 
Our  men  should  be  at  the  turn  now,  but  in  ten  min- 
utes' march,  if  they  knew  it,  the  British  could  seize 
that  turn  of  the  road  and  trap  us  all. 

[Takes  up  basket. 


ioo      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Mr.  Murray 

I  cannot  have  thee  caught  and  hung  from  one  of 
my  trees,  Thomas.  This  is  desperate  business! 
Hurry !    Away,  boy ! 

Lieutenant  Treat 

Putnam's  men  are  a  plucky  lot.  They  are  nearly 
dying  from  the  heat  and  exertion,  but  they  manage 
to  gasp  out  a  cheer  for  Putnam  as  he  dashes  back  and 
forth  encouraging  them.  We  can't  lose  such  men! 
Hold  on  to  Howe! 

[Exit  Lieutenant  Treat. 
[Enter  Delight. 

Delight 
Has  Tom  gone?    What  did  he  come  here  for? 

Mrs.  Murray 

Putnam  sent  him  to  reconnoiter  and 


[Enter  Lieutenant  Treat. 

Lieutenant  Treat 

Delight,  I  heard  your  voice  and  I  came  back  to 
thank  you  for  defending  our  General  so  gallantly  and 
flouting  those  arrogant  Britishers! 

[Drops  basket,  stretches  hands  to   De- 
light. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  101 

Mrs.  Murray 
I  told  thee  to  begone! 

Mr.  Murray 
Back  again! 

Delight 

Tom  Treat!  You  tiresome  creature,  come  with  me 
this  instant!  I'll  show  you  a  short  cut  to  the  river. 
[Lieutenant  Treat  starts  to  leave.]  Don't  forget 
your  basket! 

[Exit  Delight. 

Lieutenant  Treat 

Farewell,  dear  Madam. 

[Takes  basket,  starts  again  to  leave. 
[Enter  Spencer,  right. 

Spencer 

[With  letter.]  Here,  Aunt  Polly,  take  my  letter 
to  the  ferryman ;  please  do. 

Mr.  Murray 

[Holding  him  back.]     Nay,  Spencer,  nay! 

Mrs.  Murray 

Yes,  take  it  quick,  Aunt  Polly. 

[Lieutenant  Treat  takes  letter,  exit. 


102      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Robert,  wilt  thou  tell  Chloe  to  send  the  peach  punch 
to  the  north  parlor? 

[Exeunt  Mrs.  Murray  and  Spencer, 
right. 

[Exit  Mr.  Murray,  left. 
[Enter  Campbell,  right,  walking  back- 
ward and  motioning  and  beckoning  to 
right. 

[Enter  Tryon. 

Campbell 

I  thought  you  would  never  see  my  signals!  I  wish 
we  were  away!  The  whole  family  are  in  a  plot  to 
keep  us! 

Tryon 

Oh,  my  dear  boy,  you  don't  know  these  good  Mur- 
rays  yet. 

Campbell 

I  know  they  are  monstrous  civil  to  their  enemies. 
And  for  some  good  reason.  Look  how  that  bewitch- 
ing lady  winds  General  Howe  about  her  finger! 
Three  times  he  has  risen  to  go  and  as  many  times  she 
has  skilfully  and  apparently  artlessly  prevailed  on  him 
to  remain! 

Tryon 

Howe  is  a  courtly  gentleman.  All  women  admire 
him. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  103 

Campbell 

Something's  in  the  air;  I  feel  it [Walks  up 

and  down.]     What  about  that  apple-woman? 

Tryon 

[Laughs  hard.]  You  are  determined  to  be  sus- 
picious! Why,  poor  Aunt  Polly!  When  I  was  gov- 
ernor I  saw  her  nearly  every  day:  always  bent  over 

double  and  rather 

[Taps  forehead. 

Campbell 

[Silent,  then  suddenly  grasps  Tryon's  arm.]  "  Al- 
ways bent  over  double,"  you  say!  I  saw  that  woman 
stand  up  straight  as  a  pike!  I  believe  a  spy  has  taken 
her  disguise  in  order  to  enter  our  lines! 

Tryon 

Oh,  Campbell!  you  are  droll!  [Laughs.]  I'm  go- 
ing back  to  the  peach  punch ! 

Campbell 

That's  another  thing,  that  peach  punch!  it's  delayed 

us  three-quarters  of  an  hour!     Confound  it! I'm 

going  to  have  my  orderly  catch  that  apple-woman  and 
bring  her  in  for  examination. 


io4      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Tryon 

[Laughs  harder.]  Yes,  yes,  and  after  that  arrest 
the  town  pump ! 

[Exit. 
Campbell 

[Looks  after  him,  hesitates,  then  strides  to  door, 
calls]  Orderly!     Orderly! 

[Enter  Hessian  Orderly,  salutes. 

Campbell 

Did  you  see  an  old  woman  with  a  basket  of  apples, 
just  now? 

Hessian 

[Salutes.]    Zum  Befehl,  Herr  Hauptmann! 

[Enter  Delight,  overhears. 

Campbell 

Take  three  men  and  search  the  premises  for  her 
and  bring  her  to  me. 

Hessian 
Zum  Befehl. 

[Salutes,  goes  out. 

Campbell 

[Stumbles  over  Aunt  Polly's  stick.]  What's 
this?  [Sees  Delight.]  Oh,  the  staff  of  your  feeble 
old  Aunt  Polly. 

[Lifts  up  stick. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  105 

Delight 

[Carelessly.]    It  does  look  like  it.    Perhaps  she  will 
return  for  it. 

Campbell 

[With  meaning.]     Perhaps  she  will! 

[Enter   three   Children   and   Mammy, 
left. 

Philip 
[To  Spencer]     Is  that  General  Howe? 

Spencer 

No,  I'll  show  you  Gereral  Howe;  he's  coming  with 
Mrs.  Murray. 

[Enter,    right,    Howe,    Tryon,    Mrs. 
Murray,  Faith,  and  Phcebe. 

Howe 

[With  glass  in   hand.]     This  punch  surpasses  my 
fondest  hopes,  fair  Madam. 

[Children  lined  up  front,  left,  Mammy 
behind  them. 

Philip 

[In  a  hoarse  whisper.]    The  one  with  the  glass? 


106       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Howe 

[Turns,  sees  Children.]  Well,  Mrs.  Murray,  I 
see  that  I  am  on  parade.  [To  Patty.]  Come,  my 
pretty  chuck,  have  you  never  seen  a  general  before  that 
you  all  stare  at  one  so ! 

Patty 
Oh,  we've  seen  our  General  Washington. 

Philip  and  Spencer 
We  want  to  see  him  again. 

Howe 

You  will  soon  see  him,  never  fear,  as  I'm  going  to 
capture  him. 

Patty 

When? 

Howe 
To-morrow.    I'll  bring  him  back  my  prisoner. 

Philip 

But  his  men  won't  let  you.     They'll  fight!     Tom 
will  fight! 

Howe 

I'll  catch  all  his  men,  too,  and  make  them  shout  for 
King  George. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  107 

Philip  and  Spencer 

To-morrow  ? 

Howe 

Yes,  all  you  little  Americans  will  have  to  turn  Eng- 
lish again,  for  I'm  sure  to  catch  Washington  to- 
morrow and  end  the  war  by  to-morrow  night. 

Patty 

But  Mammy  says,  to-morrow  neber  comes! 

All  the  Children 
To-morrow  never  comes,  to-morrow  never  comes! 

Howe 

[Good-humoredly.]  What  do  you  mean,  you  little 
rascals  ? 

Children 

All  the  time  you  have  is  just  to-day;  Mammy  says 
so.     So  you'll  never  catch  Washington  to-morrow! 

Campbell 
[Aside  to  Tryon.]     That's  a  true  word. 

Mammy 

[Aside  to  Delight.]  Oh,  dem  chiluns,  dem 
chiluns! 


108      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Howe 

If  that's  the  case,  you  little  rebels,  I'll  begin  cap- 
turing to-day ! 

[Chases  the  Children,  who  laugh   and 
dodge. 
[Enter  Hessian  Orderly,  who  salutes. 

Campbell 
Have  you  found  her? 

Hessian 
Ja  wohl,  Herr  Hauptmann. 

Tryon 

[To   Howe.]      Our   enterprising  soldier  here  has 
found  a  spy.     [Laughs.]    These  new  brooms! 

[Laughs. 

Howe 
A  spy!    Since  he's  been  here? 

Tryon 

[Laughing.]     And  a  woman  at  that?    Are  you  not 
alarmed,  Miss  Phoebe? 

Campbell 
Oh,  sir,  I  beg  of  you 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  109 

Tryon 

She  must  be  fetched  here;  'tis  a  monstrous  solemn 
occasion !    Bring  her  in,  Orderly. 

[Laughs. 

[Enter  Mr.  Murray. 

[Exit  Orderly. 

Mrs.  Murray 

A  spy!  under  my  roof?  Surely  Friend  Campbell  is 
jesting!    Who  is  it? 

Tryon 

[Laughing.]  That  is  the  joke.  I'll  wager  you 
have  been  as  blind  as  I  to  the  dangerous  menace  to 
society  that  has  been  walking  our  streets  so  long. 

Howe 

What  do  you  mean,  Campbell?  Would  you  accuse 
our  hostess  of  introducing  a  spy? 

Campbell 

Why,  sir,  I 

Tryon 

[Interrupting.]  Good  lack!  I  can  scarce  speak  for 
laughing.  Campbell  with  his  brilliant  penetration  has 
discovered  that  a  spy  has  entered  our  lines,  marched 
into  this  very  room,  counted  the  number  of  glasses  of 


no      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

flip  Howe  has  dispatched  and  who  knows  what  else, 

under   the   disguise  of Oh!    how   you   will   all 

laugh !     Under  the  disguise  of  Aunt  Polly ! 

[Enter  Aunt  Polly  and  Orderly,  who 
follows  her  closely;  she  shakes  his 
hand  off  and  hobbles,  very  much  bent, 
to  front  center. 

Mrs.  Murray,  Children,  and  the  Girls 
Aunt  Polly! 

Mrs.  Murray 

[Hurries  to  Aunt  Polly.]     Surely  thou  dost  not 
mean  our  dear  Aunt  Polly ! 

Delight 
It  is  a  mistake! 

Tryon 

I  thought  you  would  have  laughed  soundly  at  Camp- 
bell's idea,  Madam. 

Mrs.  Murray 

[Clinging  to  a  chair,  trying  to  laugh.]     Vastly  di- 
verted! yes!  yes! 

Campbell 

By  your  leave,  General,  I  will  proceed  to  the  ex- 
amination. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  in 

Mrs.  Murray 

I  beg,  Friend  William,  that  thou  wilt  permit  me  to 
examine  our  old  friend  in  private.  Friend  Campbell's 
well-meant  zeal  would  alarm  her  unnecessarily. 

Tryon 

Nay,  nay,  Madam,  I  protest!  Would  you  cheat  us 
all  of  the  dreadful  pleasure  of  seeing  a  Yankee  spy, 
bristling  with  pistols,  emerge  from  that  sphinx-like  ex- 
terior?   Witness  my  daring  valor,  while  I  remove 

[Steps  towards  Aunt  Polly. 

Delight 

Oh,  I  pray  you,  stop  this  joke.  We  are  all  weak 
with  laughter,  and  let  me  lead  Aunt  Polly  to  the 
kitchen. 

[Starts  to  lead  her. 

Howe 

Captain  Campbell,  if  the  ladies 

Campbell 

[Sternly.]  General  Howe,  I  saw  this  bent  old 
woman  suddenly  stand  erect  as  a  young  man  when  she 
thought  I  had  left  the  room.  She  pretends  to  be  lame, 
yet  she  completely  forgot  her  stick.  She  does  not  (by 
your  leave)  quit  my  sight  until  I  am  satisfied.  [To 
Aunt  Polly.]     Take  off  your  shawl,  woman. 


ii2      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Aunt  Polly 

[Slowly  turns  around  toivards  Campbell,  sees  her 
staff  in  his  hand,  makes  successful  grab  for  it,  wipes 
it  on  her  apron,  takes  former  attitude.] 

[Howe,  Tryon,  and  Children  laugh. 

Mr.  Murray 

Thou  seest  that  Aunt  Polly  is  old  and  eccentric,  but 
we  know  her  well,  and  if  any  one  tried  to  penetrate  this 
house  in  her  disguise  we  would  be  the  first  to  know. 

Campbell 

[Dryly.']     Doubtless,  but  not  the  first  to  tell ! 

[Orderly  and  Campbell  pull  off  Aunt 
Polly's  first  shawl,  she  resists — they 
pull  off  second  shawl,  third  shawl. 
Aunt  Polly's  face  is  hid.  Breath- 
less interest  by  Americans.  Howe 
and  Tryon  amused. 

Tryon 

This  is  no  moment  for  hesitation ;  proceed  to  the 
charge !  [Laughs. 

[Jerks  off  last  shawl.    Aunt  Polly's  neat  gray  head 

is  revealed;  she  is  bent  over  and  looks  around  with 

angry  eyes. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  113 

Campbell 
[Starts  back.]     An  old  woman! 

Mrs.  Murray 
[Falls  into  chair,  laughing.]     How  diverting! 

Delight 

[Hugging  Patty,  who  has  climbed  on  a  chair  to 
look.]     Aunt  Polly! 

The  Children 
Aunt  Polly! 

Tryon 

[Claps  Campbell  on  shoulder.]  So  this  is  our 
dare-devil  spy! 

Howe 

Well,  my  boy!  better  luck  next  time. 

[Laughs. 

Campbell 

[Puzzled.]  This  is  evidently  your  Aunt  Polly. 
You  may  laugh,  sirs,  but  the  first  one  was  the  spy. 
She  stood  straight.     Look  at  those  shoulders! 

Faith 

What  is  a  spy,  Delight?    Some  one  bad? 


n+      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Hessian 

[Shakes  Aunt  Polly's  sleeve,  she  struggles,  he 
pulls  out  letter.]    Was  ist  das,  Herr  Hauptmann? 

[Hands  it  to  Campbell. 

Campbell 

[Triumphantly.]      A     concealed     letter!      [Opens, 

reads  to  himself.]     hm — not  in  cipher.     [To  Mrs. 

Murray.]     Your  name  is  in  it,  Madam,  and  yours 
[To  Howe]. 

[Howe  and  Mrs.  Murray  draw  near. 

Campbell 

[Reads.]  "  General  Washington  galloped  past — 
um — he's  going  to  beat  General  Howe  as  he  did  in 
Boston " 

Spencer 

Why,  that's  my  letter  to  Mother !  You've  torn  my 
letter.  I  gave  it  to  Aunt  Polly  the  last  time  she  was 
here.     [Almost  crying.]    Please  give  it  to  me! 

Howe 

And  you  gave  it  to  Aunt  Polly  when  she  was  here 
before  ? 

Spencer 

Ye*,  to   give   to   the   ferryman    [takes  letter  from 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  115 

Campbell  and  smoothes  it  out]  and  now  it's  spoilt, 
Phoebe! 

[Goes  almost   crying  to    Phcebe   to   be 
comforted. 

Howe 

Then  your  theory  of  a  spy  has  a  fatc.I  blow  since 
this  letter  is  found  on  our  old  friend.  I,  for  one,  am 
glad  we  have  no  dismal  scenes  with  spies. 

Philip 
Isn't  it  nice  to  be  a  spy? 

Tryon 
It's  not  nice  to  be  caught. 

Howe 

Now,  my  dear  madam,  pray  accept  my  thanks 
for  your  amiable  civility  to  a  hungry  and  thirsty 
foe,  and  permit  me  also  to  wish  the  lovely  mother  of 
lovely  daughters  health  and  prosperity  and — a  change 
of  heart. 

[Bows. 

Mrs.  Murray 

Thy  visit  has  been  most  welcome,  Friend  William; 
if  thou  wouldst  only  tarry  longer  perhaps — perhaps 
our  rebels  hearts  would  change.     [Howe  smiles  and 


n6      LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

shakes  his  head.]     No?    Then  we  will  accompany  thee 
to  the  porch. 

[Goes  out,  left,  followed  by  Howe. 

Tryon 

Farewell,  my  dear  young  ladies!     We  leave  with 
heavy  hearts  such  an  array  of  beauty. 

[Bows,     goes     out,     followed     by     Mr. 
Murray. 

Children 
Farewell,  Captain  Campbell.    Aunt  Polly  is  not  a  spy. 

Campbell 

[Dejectedly.]     I  suppose  I  shall  never  hear  the  last 
of  this. 

[Starts  slowly  off,  left. 

Delight 

[Looks  at  him,  starts  to  speak,  hesitates.]     Oh, — 

Captain    Campbell! [Campbell    turns.]      He 

laughs  best,  who  laughs  last!    If  they  are  too  teasing, 
refer  them  to  Patty! 

Campbell 

To  Patty? [Eagerly.]    Ah,  Mistress  Murray, 

a  truce!  a  truce!    You  tell  me  noiv! 

[Stretches  both  hands  towards  her. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  117 

Delight 

[Draws  back.]  No  truces,  with  foes!  but — if  you 
ever  meet  a  certain  Lieutenant  of  the  Connecticut 
Militia,  ask  him  how  tall  he  is — when  he  stands  up 
straight. 

Campbell 

Then  I  was  right!  [Jubilantly.']  I  felt  it!  Con- 
necticut Militia,  you  say.  He  had  no  panic!  A  thou- 
sand thanks  for  the  balm  to  my  wounded  vanity!  I 
kiss  your  hand.  [Suits  action  to  word.]  Now,  I'll 
laugh  at  Tryon.  Farewell.  I  hope  all  your  Lieu- 
tenants are  not  as  brave  as  this  Connecticut  Yankee. 

[Bows,  runs  out,  followed  by  every  one 
but  Delight  and  Aunt  Polly. 

Delight 

[Looks  after  Campbell,  then  turns  to  Aunt 
Polly.]  Oh,  poor  Aunt  Polly!  Those  horrid  Hes- 
sians! Did  they  hurt  you?  Did  Putnam's  men  get  by 
the  turn?    Where  is  Tom? 

Aunt  Polly 

[Taking  a  note  from  the  hem  of  her  apron.]  Them 
Britishers  ain't  as  smart  as  they  claim.  Here's  a  bit  of 
paper  from  Mr.  Tom. 

[Enter  Phcebe,  Faith,  Children,  and 
Mammy. 


n8       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Delight 

Oh,  girls:  here  is  a  note  from  Tom!  [They  crowd 
around  her.]  Wait!  "  If  you  keep  Howe  until  Aunt 
Polly  brings  you  this,  Putnam's  division  will  be  saved — 
saved  by  the  quick  wit  of  Mrs.  Murray!  God  bless 
her!"    Oh!  beautiful! 

[All  clap  hands  softly. 

Phcebe 

There,  they  are  all  riding  off  now. 

[Looking  out  of  window. 

Faith 

And  Mother  kept  them,  in  spite  of  everything! 
Darling  Mother! 

Phoebe 

And  how  she  sparred  with  General  Tryon! 
"  Madam,  I  beg  you  to  remember,  we  won  Bunker 
Hill!" 

Faith 

[In  Mrs.  Murray's  manner.']  "  Friend  Tryon,  I 
beg  thee  to  remember  who  has  the  Hill  now!  "  Chil- 
dren, here  comes  Mother;  let's  dance  around  her. 

[Enter  Mrs.  Murray  and  Mr.  Murray. 
[Delight,  Phcebe,  etc.,  dancing  around 
them. 


MRS.  MURRAY'S  DINNER  PARTY  119 

All 
Mrs.  Murray  has  saved  General  Putnam's  division, 
etc. 

[They  dance  around  her. 

Mrs.  Murray 

Stop!  children!  stop!  ye  make  me  giddy!  What 
does  this  mean!  How  dost  thou  know,  Delight,  that 
Putnam  is  safe? 

Delight 

Aunt  Polly  brought  us  this  [hands  paper  to  Mr. 
Murray],  in  her  apron  hem. 

Mr.  Murray 

[Reads.]  "  If  you  keep  Howe  until  Aunt  Polly 
brings  you  this,  Putnam's  division  will  be  saved — 
saved  by  the  quick  wit  of  Mrs.  Murray!  God  bless 
her!" 

Mrs.  Murray 

What!  are  they  by  the  Bloomingdale  turn  at  last! 
Is  Tom  safe? 

Delight 

Yes,  Tom  is  safe  and  Putnam's  three  thousand 
men.     Saved  by  Mrs.  Murray's  Dinner  Party! 

[All  make  low  courtesies  to  Mrs.  Mur- 
ray, center. 


120       LITTLE  PLAYS  FROM  AMERICAN  HISTORY 

Mrs.  Murray 

[Turns   with   quivering   face   to    Mr.    Murray.] 
Oh,  Robert! 

[Hides  face  on  his  sleeve.     Mr.  Mur- 
ray puts  arm  around  her. 


CURTAIN 


FOUR  SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME 
OF  LINCOLN 


IN    BOSTON,    1864 
CHARACTERS 

Mrs.  Beacon,  cutting  out  clothes. 

Mrs.  Collins,  sewing. 

Mrs.  Dillingham,  sewing. 

Miss  Eaton,  packing  box  for  soldiers. 

Fannie,  aged  eleven,  knitting. 

Gertrude,  aged  twelve,  knitting. 

Barbara,  aged  six,  scraping  lint. 

Capt.  Dillingham,  in  uniform,  arm  in  sling. 

Capt.  Hill,  in  uniform,  leg  bound  in  splint,  crutches. 

Costumes  of  1864 

Scene:  Sitting-room  of  Mrs.  Beacon  in  Boston. 
Entrance  left.     Table  right  center. 

Curtain  rises  on  the  ladies  sewing  for  the  soldiers. 
Barbara  sitting  on  the  front  of  center  table,  scraping 
lint.  Mrs.  Beacon  standing  cutting  cloth  at  the  back 
of  same  table.  Capt.  Hill  and  Miss  Eaton  at  left  of 
stage,  packing  box.  Capt.  Hill  has  bound-up  leg 
resting  on  chair.  Fannie  and  Gertrude,  right  front. 
Mrs.  Collins,  left  center.    Mrs.  Dillingham,  right. 

123 


124        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Mrs.  Collins 

[To  Mrs.  Dillingham.]  If  I  were  you  I  would 
face  that  with  the  bias;  it  goes  faster. 

Mrs.  Dillingham 
I  will;  I'm  glad  you  spoke  of  it. 

Barbara 

[Stretching  out  her  little  arms.]  Oh,  I'm  so  tired 
scraping  lint.     I  want  to  play  with  my  doll. 

Mrs.  Beacon 

[Standing  by  table.]  Poor  little  Barbara!  she  has 
been  a  good  girl.  Every  day  she  comes  over  and 
works  for  the  soldiers.  [Lifts  her  down.]  There, 
Barbara,  you've  worked  enough. 

[Barbara  plays  around  with  her  doll  to 
left  of  Capt.  Hill. 

Mrs.  Collins 

How  is  your  Captain,  Mrs.  Dillingham?  Did  I 
hear  that  he  was  going  back  to  the  army  next  week? 

Mrs.  Dillingham 

His  arm  is  nearly  well.  I  can't  keep  him  home 
much  longer. 

[Enter  Capt.  Dillingham. 


IN  BOSTON,  1864  I25 

Capt.  Dillingham 

Good-morning,  ladies;  good  morning,  Captain.  [To 
Hill.]  Every  one  busy  as  usual.  Now  don't  move. 
I'll  find  a  seat  on  the  table.  [Sits  on  table.]  Do 
you  know,  Miss  Eaton,  I  only  heard  yesterday  that 
Mrs.  Bixby,  who  lives  right  across  the  street  from 
my  father's  house,  had  sent  her  five  boys  to  the  war 
and  that  all  of  them  had  been  killed.  I've  played 
with  every  one  of  those  boys. 

Miss  Eaton 

Poor  Mrs.  Bixby!  If  you  knew  the  boys  you  would 
be  interested  in  this  letter  their  mother  received  from 
the  President. 

Capt.  Dillingham 
From  Lincoln?     Indeed  I  should. 

All 
From  the  President?     From  Lincoln? 

Miss  Eaton 
[Hands  him  letter.] 

Fannie 

[To   Capt.   Dillingham,   seeing  that   he   cannot 
open  it.]     Let  me  open  it. 


126        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Capt.  Dillingham 

Thank  you ;  be  good  enough  to  read  it  aloud. 

[All  stop  and  listen. 

Fannie 

[Reads  letter,  standing  left  center.]  "  To  Mrs. 
Bixby,  Boston.  Dear  Madam:  I  have  been  shown  in 
the  files  of  the  War  Department  a  statement  that  you 
are  the  mother  of  five  sons  who  have  died  gloriously 
on  the  field  of  battle.  I  feel  how  weak  and  fruitless 
must  be  any  words  of  mine  which  should  attempt  to 
beguile  you  from  the  grief  of  a  loss  so  overwhelming. 
But  I  cannot  refrain  from  tendering  to  you  the  con- 
solation that  may  be  found  in  the  thanks  of  the  re- 
public they  died  to  save.  I  pray  that  our  heavenly 
Father  may  assuage  the  anguish  of  your  bereavement, 
and  leave  you  only  the  cherished  memory  of  the  loved 
and  lost,  and  the  solemn  pride  that  must  be  yours  to 
have  laid  so  costly  a  sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  free- 
dom.   Abraham  Lincoln." 

Capt.  Dillingham 

"  So  costly  a  sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  freedom!  " 
It  seems  as  though  I  could  hear  his  voice  saying  it. 

Gertrude 
Then  you've  seen  the  President? 


in  boston,  1864  127 

Capt.  Dillingham 

Yes,  many  a  time;  he's  very  tall  and  thin,  his  eyes 
are  deep  sunken  and  his  face  has  deep  lines.  It  is  full 
of  care  and  sadness.  But  when  he  laughs,  his  eyes 
flash  and  twinkle  merrily.  You'd  like  him.  All  the 
children  do. 

Capt.  Hill 

And  the  soldiers,  how  they  love  him!  Whenever 
he  visits  camp  they  give  him  a  rousing  welcome. 

Barbara 

[Peering  at  Capt.  Hill's  leg.]  Oh,  Mr.  Captain! 
have  you  lost  your  leg? 

Capt.  Hill 

Oh,  no,  it's  just  spliced  up  for  a  bit.  I  should  have 
lost  it,  though,  if  some  little  girl  had  not  been  scraping 
lint. 

Barbara 

Did  lint  save  it? 

Capt.  Hill 
Yes,  little  lady. 

Barbara 

[Goes  to  table.]  Lift  me  up  again,  Mrs.  Beacon; 
I  want  to  scrape  some  more  lint. 

[Mrs.  Beacon  lifts  her  up  on  table. 


128        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Capt.  Hill 

When  I  was  in  the  Hospital  in  Washington,  Lin- 
coln would  often  visit  the  sick  soldiers.  We  had 
three  wards  of  wounded  Southern  prisoners.  I  was 
conducting  him  one  day,  and  I  said,  "  You  won't  want 
to  go  in  there,  Mr.  President;  they  are  only  rebels." 
I  shall  never  forget  how  he  stopped  and  gently  laid 
his  great  hand  upon  my  shoulder  and  said,  "  You  mean 
Confederates,"  and  I  have  meant  Confederates  ever 
since.  He  went  through  these  three  wards  and  his 
interest  was  as  real  for  the  welfare  of  the  men  as  when 
he  was  among  our  own  soldiers. 

Miss  Eaton 

They  tell  a  story  of  his  meeting  a  Pennsylvanian 
soldier  who  stood  six  feet  seven  in  his  stockings.  Lin- 
Doln  is  six  feet  four.  As  the  President  approached  this 
giant,  towering  above  him,  he  stopped  in  amazement 
as  if  contemplating  the  immense  distance  between  the 
soldier's  head  and  feet.  At  length,  holding  out  his 
hand,  he  exclaimed,  "  Hello,  Comrade!  Do  you  know 
when  your  feet  are  cold  ?  " 

Fannie 

Some  people  find  fault  with  his  signing  so  many 
pardons. 

Gertrude 

Mr.  Lincoln  is  so  tender-hearted  he's  always  finding 


IN  BOSTON,  1864  129 

some  reason  for  forgiving  the  men.  If  a  man's  a  cow- 
ard, the  President  says,  "  I  never  felt  sure  but  I  might 
drop  my  gun  and  run  away  if  /  found  myself  in  the 
line  of  battle." 


Mrs.  Beacon 

If  a  soldier  is  poor  and  friendless,  "  I'll  be  his 
friend,"  Lincoln  says.  He's  not  only  the  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  all  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  he's 
the  Father  of  the  army,  and  never  did  a  man  better 
deserve  a  title  than  he  does  the  one  the  soldiers  give 
him  of  "  Father  Abraham." 

Mrs.  Dillingham 
When  was  that  title  given  him? 

Capt.  Dillingham 

It  was  last  summer,  before  his  re-election.  Lincoln 
decided  to  issue  the  Proclamation  calling  for  more 
men.  His  friends  tried  to  dissuade  him;  they  said  such 
a  call  at  that  critical  time  meant  utter  defeat. 

'  It  matters  not  what  becomes  of  me,"  replied  Lin- 
coln, "  we  must  have  the  men!  " 

And  he  got  the  men ! 

"  From  Mississippi's  winding  stream 
And  from  New  England's  shore, 


i3o        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Six  hundred  thousand  loyal  men 
And  true  have  gone  before : 

We  are  coming,  Father  Abraham, 
Three  hundred  thousand  more!  " 


CURTAIN 


MR.  LINCOLN  AND  THE  LITTLE 

GIRL 

CHARACTERS 

Mrs.  Wadsv/orth. 
Mary,  aged  seven  or  eight. 
Kitty,  aged  seven  or  eight. 

Costumes  of  1850.     The  little  girls,  pantalets,  bon- 
nets, and  mitts. 

Mrs.  Wadsworth 

[Looking  out  of  window.^     The  train  came  in  ten 
minutes  ago ;  they  ought  to  be  here  now.    This  is  their 

first  trip  alone  by  train Oh,  here  they  come! 

[Enter  Mary  and  Kitty.    Mrs.  Wads- 
worth  kisses  them. 

Mary 
Oh,  Aunt  Celia!  I  thought  I  would  not  get  here! 

Kitty 

Yes,  Mrs.  Wadsworth;  she  almost  missed  the  train. 

131 


:::         SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Mrs.  Wadswokth 
Why,  teD  me  about  it. 

Mary 

[At  rigkt  of  Mrs.  Wadswokth,  standing.]  My 
trunk  was  ready  to  go  and  it  as  almost  train  time, 
but  the  .  ..-r:an  did  not  come,  and  I  stood  at  the 
gate  looking  for  him.  It  grew  later  and  later  and  I 
thought  I  coal  In't  go,  and — and 

Kitty 
[Stcndinv  at  left.]    And  she  began  to  cry  like  every- 
thing   she  told  me. 

Mrs.  Wadsworth 
That  was  too  bad.  little  Mary.     Did  you? 

Mam 

[.Vo^w^.]  And  just  then  Mr.  Lincoln  came  by. 
He  heard  me  sobbing,  and  he  said:  "  What's  the  mat- 
ter, little  girl?  "  and  when  I  told  him  he  said,  "  How 
big  is  the  trunk?  There  is  still  time  if  it  isn't  too 
big."  He  pushed  through  the  gate  and  up  to  the 
door.  When  he  saw  my  little  trunk  he  cried:  ,;  Oh! 
Oh!  wipe  your  eyes  and  come  on  quick!  " 

Kitty 
And  before  she  knew  what  he  was  going  to  do  he 


[NCOLN  AND  THE  LITTLE  GIRL         133 

shouldered    the   trunk   and   was   striding   out   of   the 
yard. 

Mary 

[Laughing.]  Yes,  and  I  had  to  run  like  everything 
to  keep  u;  him.     His  le^  j  long!  and  they 

were  going  so  East 

Kitty 

It  was  funny  to  see  Mary  all  out  of  breath,  but 
laughing  and  wiping  her  eyes. 

Mrs.  Wadsworth 

I'd  like  to  thank  that  Mr.  Lincoln;  he  must  be  a 
very  kind  man. 

Mary 

And  we  were  there  in  time  for  the  train,  and  Mr. 
Lincoln  kissed  me  good-by  and  told  me  to  have  a  good 
time. 

[They  all  turn  to  walk  cut. 

CURTAIN 


AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE— 1863 


CHARACTERS 


Doorkeeper 


To    Mr.    Lincoln's    office;  jolly    and 
pleasant. 

Mr.  Nicolay,  Lincoln's  secretary,  nervous  and  quick. 
Woman,  prettily  dressed,  1863  costume. 
Baby,  four  years  old. 
Mr.  A. 


Mr. 

B. 

Mr. 

C. 

Mr. 

D. 

Mr. 

E. 

Mr. 

F. 

Mr. 

G. 

Y 


Mr.  H, 
Mr.  I. 
Mr.  J. 


Well-dressed  men  of  affairs  from  New  York 
City.     Dressed  in  style  of  1863. 


Scene:  Waiting-room  in  White  House,  outside  Mr. 
Lincoln's  room.  Entrance  door  from  hall  and  door 
leading  to  Mr.  Lincoln's  room.  Seats  around  the 
walls. 

134 


AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE— 1863  135 

Curtain  rises  on  Mr.  Nicolay  and  Woman  with 
Baby,  all  standing.  Doorkeeper  before  Lincoln's 
door. 

Mr.  Nicolay 

It  is  no  use  your  waiting,  madam.  Mr.  Lincoln 
can  see  no  one  else  to-day.     Come  to-morrow. 

Woman 
But  this  is  urgent,  my 

Mr.  Nicolay 

Very  sorry,  Madam,  but  a  large  delegation  of  im- 
portant men  from  New  York  are  waiting  and  after 
seeing  them  the  President  must  go  to  a  Cabinet  meet- 
ing.   He's  late  now. 

[Goes  out  to  hall. 

Woman 

Oh  dear!  Oh  dear!  what  shall  I  do!  I  can't 
think.    May  I  sit  down  just  a  moment? 

Doorkeeper 

Indeed  you  may,  Madam ;  all  these  chairs  belong 
to  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

[Enter  NlCOLAY. 


136        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Mr.  Nicolay 

This  way,  gentlemen. 

[Ushers  in  Messrs.  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  F, 
G,  H,  I,  J,  important,  dignified,  and 
self-sufficient  gentlemen. 

[Each  gentleman  must  be  at  the  front 
of  the  stage  when  he  speaks,  and  step 
back  among  the  others,  who  are  strolh 
ing  around  the  waiting-room,  when  ht 
has  spoken. 

Mr.  A. 

[To  Nicolay.]  Inform  the  President  at  once  that 
the  delegation  he  is  expecting  from  New  York  hag 
arrived. 

[Nicolay  bows  and  goes  out  President's 
door. 

Mr.  B. 

I  shall  tell  Mr.  Lincoln  the  gunboat  must  be  sent 
at  once.  It  is  impossible  to  have  the  wealthy  port  of 
New  York  exposed  to  the  bombardment  of  a  Confed- 
erate cruiser. 

Mr.  C. 

When  he  realizes  who  we  are 

Mr.  D. 

And  that  we  represent  one  hundred  million  dollars 
in  our  own  right! 


AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE— 1863  137 

Mr.  E. 

[In    high    voice.]     One    hundred    million    dollars! 
Protection  is  due  us! 

Mr.  F. 

Yes,  he  must  see  to  it  that  we  have  that  gunboat. 
Now  my  tenement  district  is  right  there  on  the  river; 

one  cannon  ball 

[Lifts  his  hands  expressively, 

Mr.  G. 

Well,  well,  but  think  of  my  lumber  yards!  valued 
now,  I  suppose 

Mr.  H. 

I  say,  men  representing  in  their  own  right  one  hun- 
dred million  dollars 

Mr.  I. 

[Interrupts] — must  be  considered.  Fancy  the  havoc 
a  Confederate  cruiser  would  make  with  my  wharfs 
worth  fifty  thou 

Mr.  J. 

[Interrupts.]  Horrible  to  think  of;  but  if  Lincoln 
will  send  a  gunboat  to  protect  my  railways!  Why, 
sir,  those  railways  are  the  backbone  of  this  country ! 

[All  begin  to  speak  at  once,  very  eagerly, 
and  keep  it  up  until  NlCOLAY  enters. 


138         SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Mr.  A. 

Warehouses. 

[Repeats,  tries  to  make  some  one  listen. 

Mr.  B. 

Gunboat,  gentlemen! 

[Same  business. 

Mr.  C. 

I  shall  say,  "  Your  Excellency " 

[Same  business. 

Mr.  D. 

One  hundred  million  dollars! 

[Same  business. 

Mr.  E. 

[High  voice.]     Hides!    Skins!    Pigs!    Cattle! 

Mr.  F. 

My  tenements,  sir! 

[Same  business. 

Mr.  G. 

My  lumber  yards! 


[Same  business. 


Mr.  H. 

One  hundred  million  dollars! 


AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE— 1863  139 

Mr.  I. 

My  wharfs,  sir. 

[Same  business. 

Mr.  J. 

Railways,  sir,  railways. 

[Enter  NlCOLAY. 

Mr.  Nicolay 
The  President  will  see  you,  gentlemen. 

[The  delegation  file  out  into  the  Presi- 
dent's room. 

[As  they  are  disappearing] 
Mr.  E. 
[In  high  voice.]     We  represent  one  hundred  million 
dollars. 

Doorkeeper 

[Shuts  door  in  disgust.]  That's  the  sixth  set  of 
grumblers  I've  turned  loose  on  the  President  to-day! 
He'll  be  thinner  than  ever.  They  think  Mr.  Lincoln 
ought  to  give  'em  each  a  gunboat  to  watch  by  their 
beds  all  night! 

Woman 
[Rising  and  speaking  timidly.]     Don't  you  suppose 
the  President  could  see  me  just  a  moment?     It  is  a 
matter  of  life  or  death.    I've  tried  to  see  him  for  three 
days. 


140        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Doorkeeper 
It  is  too  late  to-day,  Madam,  but  you  come  early 


to-morrow- 


Woman 

[Interrupts.]  To-morrow  will  be  too  late.  He — 
he  is  to  be  shot  to-morrow. 

Doorkeeper 

[With  concern.]  Why,  now  that  is  bad.  It  is  your 
husband  you  wish  pardoned,  Madam? 

Woman 

[Rapidly  and  excitedly.]  Yes,  yes,  because  he  slept 
at  his  post,  and  it  wasn't  his  fault,  he'd  been  marching 
for  two  days. 

[The  Baby  is  standing  on  the  chair  play- 
ing with  a  cane  one  of  the  delegation 
left.  The  door  is  opened  by  Nicolay 
and  the  Woman  glides  back  to  her 
place.  The  delegation  file  out  in 
complete  silence,  collect  coats,  canes, 
hats,  etc.,  and  walk  rapidly  off  in  a 
humbled  and  mortified  manner.  Mr. 
E.,  the  last,  pulls  down  hat  to  ears 
and  puts  both  hands  in  pockets. 
Doorkeeper  and  Nicolay  watch 
them  go. 


AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE— 1863  141 

Doorkeeper 

[With  low  whistle.']  Hides!  Skins!  Pigs  and 
cattle!  What's  pricked  their  bubble?  They're  a 
mightily  changed  set  of  citizens! 

Mr.  Nicolay 

[Laughs.]  They  thought  the  President  was  much 
impressed  by  their  pitiful  story  and  the  great  wealth 
they  represented.  He  listened  most  attentively,  but 
when  they  concluded  he  said,  "  Gentlemen,  I  am,  by 
the  Constitution,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army 
and  Navy  of  the  United  States,  and  as  a  matter  of 
law  I  can  order  anything  done  that  is  practicable  to 
be  done:  but,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  I  am  not  in  command 
of  the  gunboats  or  ships  of  war — as  a  matter  of  fact, 
I  do  not  know  exactly  where  they  are,  but  presume 
they  are  actively  engaged.  It  is  impossible  for  me, 
in  the  condition  of  things,  to  furnish  you  a  gunboat. 
The  credit  of  the  Government  is  at  a  very  low  ebb, 
greenbacks  are  not  worth  more  than  forty  or  fifty 
cents  on  the  dollar,  and  in  this  condition  of  things, 
if  /  were  worth  half  as  much  as  you  gentlemen  are 
represented  to  be,  and  as  badly  frightened  as  you  seem 
to  be,  /  would  build  a  gunboat  and  give  it  to  the  Gov- 


ernment." 


[They   both    laugh.      NlCOLAY  goes  out 
by  hall  door. 


142        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Doorkeeper 

[Calls  after  him.]  Is  the  President  still  in,  Mr. 
Nicolay? 

Mr.  Nicolay 
[From  hall.]     He's  gone. 

Woman 

[Bursts  into  sobs.]  Oh  dear!  My  poor  husband! 
They'll  shoot  him!  I'm  too  late.  [Sobs.]  To-mor- 
row at  sunrise. 

[Sobs,  covers  face  with  hands,  continues 
to  sob. 

Baby 

[  Trying  to  pull  down  her  hands  and,  not  succeeding, 
breaks  into   loud  cries.]      Boo  hoo!   don't,    Mamma. 

Oh 

[And  keeps  it   up   until  a  loud  ring  is 
heard  from  Lincoln's  room. 

Doorkeeper 

[Disappears  in  Lincoln's  door,  comes  back  smiling 
to  Woman.]  Mr.  Lincoln  says  to  send  you  to  him 
at  once. 

[Woman  goes  into  Mr.  Lincoln's  room 
hastily.    Baby  trots  after. 


AT  THE  WHITE  HOUSE— 1863  143 

Doorkeeper 

[Holding  door  and  patting  baby.]  Run  along, 
Lulu! 

[Nicolay  enters  from  hall. 

Doorkeeper 

The  President  heard  that  young  one  crying  just  as 
he  was  going  and  nothing  would  do  but  he  must  come 
back  to  find  out  what  the  matter  was. 

Mr.  Nicolay 

But  he's  keeping  the  Cabinet  waiting. 

[Walks  out  impatiently. 

Doorkeeper 

[Calls  after  him.]  What  of  it?  Do  'em  good! 
You're  always  trying  to  make  the  President  walk  a 
straight  line.  Thought  you  had  him  on  time  for  the 
Cabinet  meeting  to-day,  didn't  you?  But  the  Presi- 
dent gave  you  the  slip  at  the  last  moment. 

[Laughs  to  himself. 
[Door  opens;  enter  Woman  and  Baby, 
radiant. 

Woman 

He's  pardoned  him!  He's  pardoned  him!  Mr. 
Lincoln's  the  best  man  that  ever  lived ! 


144        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Doorkeeper 

[Adjusting  her  shawl.]     Madam,  it  was  the  baby 
that  did  it. 

[Woman  and  Baby  start  to  go  out. 

CURTAIN 


ON  A  PLANTATION,  1863 

CHARACTERS 

Ole  Mammy. 

Sambo,  her  boy. 

Clementine  \ 

Lily  V  Young  women. 

Flora  J 

Thomas  Jefferson  "J 

Julius  C^sar  V  Children. 

Juliet  j 

and  children  as  many  as  stage  allows. 

Porch  before  Darkies'  hut,  children  and  women 
grouped  about  the  stage,  some  standing,  some  sitting 
on  boxes,  benches,  old  chairs,  or  on  the  ground.  Tur- 
bans of  colored  handkerchiefs,  kerchiefs,  aprons, 
sleeves  rolled  up.  These  touches  give  the  effect  of 
negro  costume,  especially  if  the  hair  is  covered  up. 
Blacking  the  skin  is  not  advised.  Every  one  in  this 
scene  should  be  able  to  sing.  The  song  "  When  Israel 
was  in  Egypt  land  "  is  one  of  the  Jubilee  Songs,  and 
should  not  be  hard  to  find,  and  "  Wake  Nicodemus  " 
is  a  well-known  negro  song.    Two  entrances,  one  from 

145 


146        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Mammy's  hut,  one  from  right  or  left  for  Flora  and 
Sambo. 

Every  one  on  the  stage  but  Sambo,  Flora,  Juliet, 
and  Mammy.  Before  the  curtain  rises  they  begin  to 
croon,  swaying  in  time  to  the  music. 

Clementine 
[Solo.] 
"  When  Israel  was  in  Egypt  land, 

Chorus 
Let  my  people  go. 

Clementine 
Oppressed  so  hard  dey  could  not  stand, 

Chorus 

Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down  Moses,  way  down  in  Egypt  land 

CURTAIN    RISES 

Tell  ole  Pharaoh,  '  Let  my  people  go.' 

Clementine 
"  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  bold  Moses  said, 


ON  A  PLANTATION,  1863  147 

Chorus 
Let  my  people  go. 

Clementine 
If  not  I'll  smite  your  first-born  dead — 

Chorus 

Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  etc. 

Clementine 
"  No  more  shall  dey  in  bondage  toil, 

Chorus 
Let  my  people  go. 

Clementine 

[Sings.]  Let  them  come  out."  [Breaks  off. 
Shouts  to  Juliet  inside  the  house.]  Heh,  there,  you 
Juliet!  Mammy  said  she  was  coming  out  on  de 
po'ch.     You  bring  her  out. 

Juliet 

[From  inside  cabin.]  She's  low  in  her  sperits,  and 
don'  want  to  come. 


i48        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Lily 

It's  'cause  a  year  ago  to-day  Massa  sold  her  Sambo, 
all  de  chile  she  had  lef.  Ef  I  don'  rouse  her  up 
she'll  sit  all  day  looking  at  one  of  his  old  caps.  I'll 
fetch  her  out. 

[Goes  off. 
Clementine 

Thomas  Jefferson,  you  go  tote  out  her  cheer  for  her. 
[Thomas  Jefferson  rises  and  goes  in 
cabin,  conies  out  with  armchair  which 
he  places  to  right  of  stage.  The 
Children  roll  out  of  the  way  and  let 
Ole  Mammy  enter.  Juliet  leads 
her.  Lily  follows  with  shawl.  Ole 
Mammy  is  settled  in  chair.  She  has 
a  cane  and  her  head  is  bent.  Carries 
a  boy's  cap  in  her  hand. 

Ole  Mammy 
[Begins  talking  to  herself  and  then  says  distinctly.] 
Ole  Massa,  he  sold  my  Sambo,  my  baby;  he  tole  me 
he  wouldn't.  [Pause.]  Just  year  ago  Sambo  said, 
"  Mammy,  I's  sold  down  de  ribber.  But  de  new 
master  won't  keep  me.  I'll  run  away  and  join  Massa 
Linkum's  soldiers.  I'll  come  back  and  get  you, 
Mammy,  you  wait  for  me."  But  I  waited  and  I 
waited  and  he  ain't  neber  come  back — he  ain't  come 
back! 

[Begins  to  cry,  hiding  her  face  in  the  cap. 


ON  A  PLANTATION,  1863  149 

Clementine 

Land  sakes!  Mammy,  give  him  time;  perhaps  he 
couldn't  git  away  as  fast  as  he  thought. 

Lily 

Maybe  he  mighty  far  down  de  ribber. 

Juliet  and  Julius  C/esar 
Let's  get  Mammy  to  sing,  then  she  won't  cry. 

Julius  Cesar 

[Goes  close  to  Mammy.]  Mammy,  you  learn  us 
children  "  Ole  Nicodemus."  We  disremember  de 
tune. 

[The  Children  gather  about  her  chair. 

Ole  Mammy 

[Taking  down  the  cap  and  wiping  her  eyes  on  it.~\ 
he  ain't  come  back What  you  chilluns  hol- 


Jerin'  about? 


All  the  Children 


Learn  us  to  sing  "  Wake  Nicodemus." 

[They  sit,  kneel,  and  stand  around  her. 


Ole  Mammy 
Well,  let  me  see. 


[Begins  to  sing. 


i5o        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

"  Nicodemus,  de  slave,  was  of  African  birth, 
And  was  bought  for  a  bagful  of  gold: 
He  was  reckon'd  as  part  of  de  salt  of  de  earth, 

But  he  died  years  ago,  very  old. 
'Twas  his  last  sad  request,  so  we  laid  him  away 

In  de  trunk  of  an  old  hollow  tree, 
'  Wake  me  up ! '  was  his  charge  at  de  first  break  of 
day, 
'  Wake  me  up  for  de  great  Jubilee ! ' 

[All  sing  Chorus.] 

"  De  '  Good  time  comin' '  is  almos'  here, 

It  was  long,  long,  long  on  de  way. 
Now  run  and  tell  Elijah  to  hurry  up  Pomp, 

And  meet  us  at  de  gumtree  down  in  de  swamp, 
To  wake  Nicodemus  to-day. 

Ole  Mammy 

[Sings  alone.] 
"  'Twas  a  long,  weary  night, — we  were  almos'  in  fear, 
Dat  de  future  was  more  than  he  knew, 
'Twas  a  long,  weary  night — but  de  morning  is  near, 

And  de  words  of  our  prophet  are  true. 
Dar  are  signs  in  de  sky  dat  de  darkness  is  gone, 

Dar  are  tokens  in  endless  array; 
While  de  storms  which  had  seemingly  banished  de 
dawn, 
Only  hasten  de  advent  of  day." 


<<    T^~    « 


ON  A  PLANTATION,  1863  151 

Chorus 

[All  sing.] 
De  '  Good  time  comin','  "  etc. 

Ole  Mammy 

[Sings.] 
"  Wake  me  up  for  de  great  Jubilee !  " 

Thomas  Jefferson 

When  is  de  great  Jubilee  comin'?     When  will  we 
be  free? 

Lily 

I  dun  know,  honey;  it's  a  long  time  comin'.     Per- 
haps Massa  Linkum's  soldiers'll  bring  it. 

[Enter  Flora,   looks  behind  her  before 
she  speaks  as  though  she  were  afraid. 

Flora 

[With  an  air  of  triumph.']     See  what  I  got! 

[Shows  picture  of  Lincoln. 

Clementine 
Who's  dat? 

Flora 

[In  stage  whisper.]     Hesh!  it's  Massa  Linkum. 

[Gives  it  to  Mammy. 
[All  crowd  around  to  see. 


iS2        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Flora 

Jinny  found  it  and  she  can  read  and  it  says  Abraham 
Linkum.  Jinny  says  he's  de  big  general  an'  he'll  set 
us  all  free  sometime. 

Julius  Caesar 

He's  got  mighty  sad  eyes;  he  looks  like  he  want  to 
cry. 

Juliet 
He's  smiling  at  me. 

Flora 

[Whispers.]  And  I  heard  Massa  say,  if  Massa 
Linkum's  sojers  come  up  de  ribber — we'll  all  be  free. 

All 

[In  whispers.]     We'll  all  be  free. 

[Shake  heads  doubtfully. 

Flora 

[Still  whispering.]  An'  Jinny  says,  dat  all  de  free 
Darkies  sing  a  new  song;  Massa  Linkum's  sojers 
learned  it  to  'em. 

Ole  Mammy 

[Rising  and  leaning  on  cane.]  You,  Flora!  Did 
Jinny  learn  you  dat  song? 


ON  A  PLANTATION,  1863  153 

Flora 
Yes,  Mammy. 

Lily  and  Clementine 
How  does  it  go? 

Ole  Mammy 

[Pointing  cane  at  Flora.]     You,  Flora,  you  sing 
dat  song. 

Flora 
[Looks  all  arou  d,  then  sings  very  softly.] 

"  John   Brown's  body  lies  a-molderin'  in  de  grave," 
etc. 

"  His  soul  goes  marching  on." 

[All  listen  intently,  their  lips  move.  In 
the  chorus  they  join  one  after  an- 
other, always  singing  very  softly,  their 
heads  and  bodies  swaying  and  their 
hands  silently  clapping  time. 

All 
"Glory,  glory,  hallelujah,"   etc. 

Lily 

[Excitedly.]     You  learn  dat  song,  all  you  chilluns. 
Then  if  de  day  of  Jubilee  eber  come,  you  sing  it. 


154        SCENES  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  LINCOLN 

Sambo 

[Outside,  from  distance.]  Mammy!  Where's  my 
ole  Mammy? 

Ole  Mammy 

[Starts  to  her  feet.]     Who  dat  calling  me? 

Sambo 

[Nearer.]  Mammy!  ain't  you  goin'  to  speak  to  yo'r 
Sambo! 

Ole  Mammy 

My  Sambo!  my  baby!    I's  waitin'! 

Sambo 

[Enters  running,  dressed  in  United  States  uniform; 
rushes  to  embrace  Mammy.]  I's  come  back,  Mammy! 
Mammy! 

Ole  Mammy 

[Crying  and  laughing  and  hugging  him.]  Sambo! 
Sambo! 

All 

[Cry  out.]  Sambo!  Sambo!  Where  you  come 
from?    See  de  brass  buttons!     Sambo! 

Sambo 

[Still  clasping  Mammy.]  I  run  away  and  jined 
Massa  Linkum's  sojers.  De  gunboats  are  coming 
up   de   ribber.      I  was  on   de   first   one.     And,    chil- 


ON  A  PLANTATION,  1863  155 

luns!  What  you  think!  Massa  Linkum  signed  de 
'Mancipation  Proclamation,  an'  you're  all  FREE ! !  No 
more  selling  down  de  ribber,  Mammy,  do  you  hear! 
We're  all  free  ! ! ! 

All 

[Shouting  and  cheering.]     We're  all  free!  etc. 

[After  a  second  or  two  they  stop  and  look 
at  Mammy. 

Ole  Mammy 

Massa  Linkum,  he  done  it.  De  Lord  bress  Massa 
Linkum!  an'  keep  him,  and  cause  his  face  to  shine 
upon  him! 

All 

[Fervently.]     De  Lord  bress  Massa  Linkum! 

Clementine 
Hallelujah! 


Lily 


Glory!    Glory! 


All 
[Sing.] 

Glory,  glory,  hallelujah!"  etc. 
[Children  form    ring  and  dance  around 
Mammy    and    Sambo;    clap    hands, 
jump  up  and  down,  etc. 

CURTAIN 


This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below 


rtt5  4 


\Y  2      1932L 

1931* 

1  7  1935 

* 

^  19  1938 

5   1943 

!  10.'. 
IOVU1950 

MR  3  1  1952 
JAN  2  6  1957 

R£C'D  URLfO 


OCT  j^n 


FormL-9-15m-ll,'27 


7 


ACUITY 


AA    000  415  250    o 


